SK Telecom to launch mobile app store

Korean operator giant SK Telecom announced it will launch a branded mobile application store in September. SK Telecom--which enjoys a 50 percent market share in the Korean market--said the online storefront will offer applications optimized for smartphones and feature phones. The carrier adds the store will operate as an "open market," promising developers the flexibility to name their own download prices. SK Telecom added it has not yet determined how it will split revenues with programmers.

"We have a lot of things to do and a lot of people to talk to before we settle on the framework for our commercial services, but we are nonetheless confident that our app store will inject new energy in the content development industry," said Oh Se-hyun, head of SK Telecom's convergence and Internet services unit, at a news conference Monday. In conjunction with the app store announcement, the operator released a software development kit, adding it will introduce a website to encourage application development and keep programmers apprised of new mobile technology trends.

For more on SK Telecom's app store:
- read this Korea Times article

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