Telefonica, a global telecommunications leader, has announced a partnership with Epic Games to pre-install the Epic Games Store app on all Android devices across its network.
This collaboration aims to make popular Epic titles like Fortnite, Fall Guys, and Rocket League Sideswipe more accessible to millions of users in regions including Spain, the UK, Germany, Mexico, and Spanish-speaking Latin America.
This marks the first time Epic’s marketplace will be pre-installed on Android devices, bypassing conventional app stores like Google Play and Samsung Galaxy Store. The move aligns with Epic’s strategy to expand its reach beyond traditional app store ecosystems, challenging the dominant platforms’ commission structures.
Telefonica was the first carrier to introduce Direct Carrier Billing for the Epic Games Store, and the two companies have a history of collaboration, Reuters news report said. During the pandemic, they created an interactive music experience in Fortnite featuring the O2 Arena, which drew over 10.8 million players.
Lorena Senador-Gomez, Telefonica’s Director of Partnerships and Devices, said: “With this collaboration, we strengthen our relationship and deliver high-quality, innovative digital experiences to our customers.”
Michael Modon, Epic Games’ Senior Director of Growth Partnerships, said: “This partnership empowers players by providing direct access to the Epic Games Store on their Android devices. We look forward to expanding this collaboration further.”
Telefonica and Epic plan to broaden their collaboration, introducing additional benefits and options for mobile players within Telefonica’s network.
