PhonePe set to take on Google Play Store in India with its own app store
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has made it possible for players to create their own application (app) stores by opening the door to requiring Google to alter its mobile business model in India. PhonePe, a major player in financial technology and payments, will eventually pose a serious threat to Google in this market.
Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have offered backing to Walmart-owned PhonePe as it prepares to launch its app store for Android customers in India.
Every OEM in India with whom we have spoken has been very receptive, especially now that CCI has made it clear that Google cannot participate in anti-competitive practices. The development of a customised app store by PhonePe for the Indian market has the interest of all OEMs. Within the first few months of introduction, we anticipate being live on all Android OEMs. We have already finalised the conditions with one of the biggest OEMs, and we’re working hard to quickly bring the rest on board over the coming months, according to the business.
One of the greatest consumer markets in the world is India. The app store PhonePe plans to create will be more regionalized, not just in terms of language but also in terms of user interest and discovery. “Google has so far prohibited OEMs from promoting rival app shops. Independent app shops can still compete in the Indian market, according to a recent National Company Law Appellate Tribunal and CCI verdict. The timing is also in our benefit, the business added in a statement. A user’s doorway to finding and downloading various apps is an app store. If you look at the Indian app store market, Google Play Store holds more than 97% of the market share and it is the dominant way for a user to discover and install apps.
PhonePe made it clear that it would prefer not to give a specific deadline. The creation of an app store is the current priority. Like the recently released Pincode app and PhonePe app, we frequently do internal and beta testing. We take our time with launches, the business claimed.
