The British media major BBC's online news portal is the second-most popular and widely used website in the UK, after Google. It has already launched a number of mobile services which includes the iPlayer on selected handsets and applications.

Now BBC is planning to launch its first application for the iPhone. The launch includes the iPlayer catch-up television service. This is because BBC is trying to replicate the popularity of its online content on mobile phones.

From April onwards, BBC will offer applications based on its news, sport and iPlayer video services free of charges. In this regard BBC said that now audiences were looking for more content on their mobile phones. Because of these added features, the sales of smartphones expected to increase this year.

The BBC News application will deliver latest stories and analysis from its website and correspondents and breaking news videos to smartphones. It is expected to boost the take-up of smartphones such as Apple's iPhone.