The UK’s Competitors and Markets Authority (CMA) right this moment introduced its evaluation of cellular ecosystems, together with working methods, app shops and cellular browsers. We welcome the chance to set out Android, Chrome and Play’s help for customers, companies and the broader cellular ecosystem within the UK.
Android has elevated alternative, decreased costs and democratised entry to smartphones and apps. It’s the solely instance of a profitable and viable open supply cellular working system that builders and producers can use to construct useful and safe apps and gadgets.
This open-source mannequin affords profound financial advantages and is a crucial supply of development. Within the UK, the Android app financial system generated over £9.9 billion in income for British builders, and supported over 457,000 jobs throughout the UK. Due to Android, there are over 24,000 cellphone fashions out available in the market, at each worth level, from greater than 1,300 producers. We estimate that Android has saved builders over a million days they might in any other case spend adapting to completely different working fashions for every smartphone – the equal of £300 million in decreased prices.
Our dedication to alternative and openness on Android and Google Play creates alternatives for innovation that different platforms we compete towards merely do not afford – from permitting for a number of app shops and browser engines to piloting new methods for customers to pay for in-app purchases. The CMA has already recognised the advantages of our open strategy in the midst of its ongoing market investigation into cellular browsers.
We are going to work constructively with the CMA on these subjects and pursue outcomes that keep away from stifling alternative and alternative for shoppers and companies, and keep away from exposing customers to new safety and privateness dangers. In doing so, we are going to underline our dedication to a pro-innovation, evidence-based regulatory regime that allows continued funding and UK development.
