Chinese wireless giant, China Mobile, is hoping to offer its own mobile software store by the end of the year, in hopes of duplicating Apple’s popular ‘App Store’ phenomenon.

The store is still in development, and will be launched alongside China Mobile’s next-generation voice and data network, according to a company spokeswoman. Like the App Store, the forthcoming ‘Mobile Market’ will allow third-party developers to upload a wide variety of software products, which can in turn be purchased by consumers.

Analysts say China Mobile’s ambitions to launch its own software marketplace likely hindered negotiations to bring the Apple iPhone to China. Apple’s request for a monopoly on iPhone software purchases would have factored into the carriers decision to reject an iPhone deal in favour of lower-profile devices.

Until Apple or a Chinese carrier opens itself to competition, Chinese customers will remain unable to purchase iPhones through domestic carriers.