Cellphone software developers can soon showcase their applications in the world market with the help of a $2.3 million programme announced by SingTel on Monday.

Developers will get access to the latest software tools, mobile phones and even preferential cellphone charges as part of plan to market more homegrown applications.

If they are deemed good enough by SingTel, their software may also be marketed to the region with the help of the telco.

Altogether, SingTel and its partner telcos in the region have 158 million mobile subcriptions, dwarfing the 5.4 million subscriptions here.

Mr Allen Lew, SingTel's chief executive officer for Singapore, said it expects to sign up more than 40 developers and roll out at least 10 applications in the next two years.

The project, called SingTel Partner Programme, is also backed by seven industry vendors like Nokia and Microsoft, which will provide the software tools and phones.

Part of the funding will also come from the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA).

Speaking at the launch on Monday afternoon, IDA chief executive officer Ronnie Tay said the authorities were open to help other operators set up similar schemes.

Such projects are common with cellphone operators the world over as they seek the next big game or application that companies and consumers will use on their small screens.

For the SingTel scheme, developers are free to market their software with other operators. Applications are open online from April 1.

Some developers welcome the new initiative.

Mr Benson Loo, who heads mobile developer EyePower Games, said: 'The biggest headache is getting different handsets to test your software on, so if they can provide that, then developers will find the scheme attractive.'