The alliance - which includes O2, Orange and Vodafone - is hoping that its combined customer base of 3bn will allow them to steal market share from Apple's Ap Store.
Apple takes a 30% cut from every application that is sold, and since July 2008 when the store launched over 3bn apps have been downloaded.
Apple takes a 30% cut from every application that is sold
The consortium is hoping that their huge customer base will attract application developers that would otherwise sell programmes through Apple's App Store.
Three of the largest handset manufacturers - Samsung, LG and Sony Ericsson - have said that they will support the new group.
"Apple has built up a nice and very well functioning castle with a direct bridge to consumers over which no one else seems to be able to walk comfortably so far," said a spokesman from Frost & Sullivan.
