Service Providers from across the globe joined hands to facilitate creation of standardised mobile applications which can be accessed over handsets of any make. The move is widely seen as an attempt to fend off challenge posed by handset manufacturers like Apple, BlackBerry and Nokia who have lined up ambitious plans to gain a pie of the VAS.

24 operators from across the globe including India’s Bharti Airtel will now work together under the initiative called the ‘Wholesale Applications Community'' to build a common platform within the next 12 months.

GSMA as well as handset vendors LG, Samsung and Sony Ericsson are supporting the initiative.

“The GSMA is fully supportive of the Wholesale Applications Community which will build a new, open ecosystem to spur the creation of applications that can be used regardless of device, operating system or operator,” said Mr Rob Conway, CEO and Member of the Board, GSMA.