Airtel launches AppStore for local market

Airtel Ghana has announced the launch of its game-changing App store set to transform the way Ghanaians engage with Apps and empower local App developers to monetize their content and benefit commercially from their innovation.The bespoke App Store can be accessed through several channels and customized for mobile devices.Speaking at the launch, Juan Claude Domilongo Bope, Director for Airtel Data Business explained: "We want to bring locally relevant mobile applications to our customers and also continue to drive local application development by empowering talented app developers in Ghana.

The Airtel App store provides a unique platform for our customers to engage with Apps in a different way - they can access Apps from the store for free over a period of time. Over time, as more local developers upload and monetize their Apps, these can be easily purchased via Airtel Money to support our local App developers"."Apps provided on the App store would be compatible with the following operating systems: Android, BlackBerry 7, BlackBerry 10, Symbian, Asha, Java, Tizen and all HTML5 Oss being built and deployed by Firefox and iOS". He added.

Taking the audience through the process of installation and usage Jean Claude said, "Just download Airtel App store app and install it on your device. Once you launch the app, you will be able to download free apps. If one wants to download commercial app then a pop-up window will appear asking you to "Sign In" or "Sign Up". Click on "Sign Up" button, fill the registration form and submit.

There are no restrictions on downloading apps and no charge for free apps. When users download a premium app, it will be charged from their mobile bill. If you download a free app that has a subscription service or in-app purchases built in, you will be charged for those purchases or subscriptions from your mobile bill".Airtel partnered with neXva, a global provider of white branded app stores to bring the App store to its cherished customers.

"We selected neXva for this strategic alliance because of their robust technology offering and the unique advantage they offer local app developers to monetize their content. We realize that localization is key to the success of Airtel's app stores in Ghana," Jean Claude said.According to Brian J. Friedman, founder and CEO of neXva, "Bringing neXva's app store platform to Ghana is a great opportunity for neXva and deploying our app store platform along with a highly curated selection of content will, for the first time, bring relevant, localized apps to Airtel Ghana subscribers."Localized content combined with our direct connection to the Airtel Africa markets brings a unique opportunity for local and international developers and content providers to monetize their content through neXva's operator billing interface that enables Airtel customers to purchase apps using their airtime". Friedman explained.The neXva powered Airtel app stores consist of free and premium applications, and will be available for all feature phones and smartphones.