BBC forced to delay mobile apps

The BBC has been forced to delay its planned smartphone applications after the BBC Trust launched a review of the services in reaction to "representations from the industry".

Today, the Trust ordered the BBC executive to postpone the launch of its mobile apps while a review is conducted into the business case for such a move.

Last month, the BBC confirmed plans to offer a free BBC News app in April, followed by a BBC Sport app in May. The corporation is also working on an iPlayer app to launch later in the year.

Previously, the BBC dismissed any market impact concerns by saying that the apps are an extension of existing services and therefore do not need further regulation.

However, the Newspaper Publishers Association immediately complained to the Trust that the apps would undermine commercial competitors in the emerging smartphone market.

In response, the Trust will now investigate the apps to gauge whether they are indeed an extension of existing services or new initiatives which require further consultation.

Reacting to the review, a BBC spokesman said: "We are focused on making BBC Online's core web propositions more user-friendly, convenient and accessible, and using existing content to create truly distinctive products around our core public service areas. We look forward to helping the Trust with any further information they require about our plans."