TIM, the second biggest operator in Brazil, partnered with Opera Software to launch the TIM App Shop, which is said to offer “a vast collection” of mobile apps.

The store will be preloaded on all devices sold by TIM, and accessible to the operator’s close to 70 million subscribers in the country.

TIM App Shop offers more than 55,000 apps, including free and paid products, for platforms including Android, Java, Symbian, BlackBerry and iOS.

Products are available in categories including social media, news, weather, games and sports in both Portuguese and English.

“This marks the first time we’re partnering with a Latin America carrier for app distribution, and we are excited to work with TIM once again to bring the wide portfolio of apps for Brazilians to go on a shopping spree,” said Lars Boilesen, CEO of Opera Software.

Opera and TIM partnered in 2010, in order to offer the Opera Mini browser, co-branded as Navegador TIM, as a “cheaper and faster way to browse the mobile web, no matter the device or platform”.

Opera is providing the platform for the TIM App Store, storefront merchandising, and commerce capabilities, as well as the ability to pay for apps through operator billing.