The latest mobile heavyweight to provide an application store that allows customers browse, buy, download, and install software on their phones is Vodafone, the world's largest mobile operator.

It was recently confirmed by Vodafone that almost all of its 289 million customers in 27 countries will have access to the app store, which will provide the store with an enormous benefit in terms of potential customers, as Apple's App Store can reach near 31 million iPhone and iPod Touch owners.

This summer would be Vodafone delivering a software development kit, while the store would be unveiled in the second half of the year.

Developers would be able to use location-based information via this kit in order to develop geographically targeted apps.

Vodafone would prove to be better than others as users could be billed for purchased apps directly on their wireless accounts, while users of Apple App Store have to use their iTunes accounts, Android Market users have to use Google Checkout, and BlackBerry App World users have to have a PayPal account.

Via a statement, CEO Vittorio Colao informed that these changes are being introduced by Vodafone in order to make it easier for third parties to develop attractive new services as well as bill and support their customers through our network capabilities in all markets.

Furthermore, the company would be able to capitalize on the increasing importance of software on phones, apart from developing new income as revenue from services like voice continue to fall. It should be noted that 30% of the revenue would be kept by Vodafone, from apps sold in its store, similar to Apple.