Many telecom operators have tried to open and run their own app stores, selling applications for Android and BlackBerry smartphones (Apple’s ecosystem is closed). It seems that those have not turned out to be a viable source of new revenue for the telcos.

Verizon announced plans to shut down their app store by January 2013, according to an article in AllThingsD.

Verizon set up the marketplace as Vcast Apps in March 2010, selling BlackBerry and Android apps. Verizon is now admitting that most of the applications are available in other stores anyway.