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Telefónica, one of the world’s largest telecommunications providers, is set to preinstall the Epic Games Store on all compatible new Android devices it sells, including Samsung phones. Operating under its O2 and Movistar networks in regions like the UK, Spain, Germany, and Latin America, Telefónica is embarking on a “long-term partnership” with Epic Games to bring the Epic Games Store and the wildly popular Fortnite to millions of its customers. This marks the first time the Epic Games Store will come preinstalled on consumer smartphones, signaling a significant move in Epic’s effort to challenge Google’s dominance in the app store market and secure a larger share of app revenue.
The move comes in the wake of a landmark decision last December, when a federal jury ruled in Epic v. Google that Google had used its Android app store and billing system to establish an illegal monopoly. Epic initially filed the lawsuit in 2020, accusing Google of pressuring or incentivizing phone manufacturers and carriers to avoid preinstalling alternative app stores or games like Fortnite.
Now, just a month after Judge James Donato prohibited Google from further engaging in such practices, Telefónica is introducing a competing app store on its devices, potentially setting a precedent for other carriers. Interestingly, Telefónica was not one of the carriers accused of being influenced by Google, according to Epic spokesperson Natalie Muñoz. In fact, Telefónica and Epic have a history of collaboration: in 2020, Movistar customers in Spain were able to charge Fortnite purchases directly to their phone bills, with Telefónica reportedly earning 5% of the revenue from those sales.
This preinstallation effort also reflects Epic’s evolving mobile strategy. While the Epic Games Store officially launched on mobile in August, the company had previously sought partnerships to preinstall Fortnite installer apps. Initial deals with Samsung, LG, OnePlus, and Huawei saw mixed success, with OnePlus limited to preinstalls in India and LG pulling out, allegedly due to restrictions from Google. Telefónica’s involvement could signal a renewed momentum for Epic’s ambitions, although it remains to be seen if other carriers like Verizon or Hutchison will follow suit.
Notably, Epic’s growing partnerships raise questions about its relationship with Samsung, especially since the company filed a lawsuit against Samsung this September. How Samsung will respond to Telefónica’s decision to include the Epic Games Store on its devices remains an intriguing subplot in this ongoing battle for app store dominance.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/12...ll-telefonica-samsung-uk-europe-latin-america
The move comes in the wake of a landmark decision last December, when a federal jury ruled in Epic v. Google that Google had used its Android app store and billing system to establish an illegal monopoly. Epic initially filed the lawsuit in 2020, accusing Google of pressuring or incentivizing phone manufacturers and carriers to avoid preinstalling alternative app stores or games like Fortnite.
Now, just a month after Judge James Donato prohibited Google from further engaging in such practices, Telefónica is introducing a competing app store on its devices, potentially setting a precedent for other carriers. Interestingly, Telefónica was not one of the carriers accused of being influenced by Google, according to Epic spokesperson Natalie Muñoz. In fact, Telefónica and Epic have a history of collaboration: in 2020, Movistar customers in Spain were able to charge Fortnite purchases directly to their phone bills, with Telefónica reportedly earning 5% of the revenue from those sales.
This preinstallation effort also reflects Epic’s evolving mobile strategy. While the Epic Games Store officially launched on mobile in August, the company had previously sought partnerships to preinstall Fortnite installer apps. Initial deals with Samsung, LG, OnePlus, and Huawei saw mixed success, with OnePlus limited to preinstalls in India and LG pulling out, allegedly due to restrictions from Google. Telefónica’s involvement could signal a renewed momentum for Epic’s ambitions, although it remains to be seen if other carriers like Verizon or Hutchison will follow suit.
Notably, Epic’s growing partnerships raise questions about its relationship with Samsung, especially since the company filed a lawsuit against Samsung this September. How Samsung will respond to Telefónica’s decision to include the Epic Games Store on its devices remains an intriguing subplot in this ongoing battle for app store dominance.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/12...ll-telefonica-samsung-uk-europe-latin-america
