Independent apps store GetJar has won a deal with AT&T that will see its library of more than 75,000 free applications available on the US operator’s AppCenter store. Users can access the library by first downloading the GetJar app from the applications category of AT&T’s store. Around 50 different AT&T handsets will support GetJar’s offering, from feature phones to BlackBerrys, though not the iconic iPhone. AT&T’s inclusion of a new app store could be regarded as an effort by the carrier to begin to lessen its dependence on the iPhone, as the operator is expected to lose its exclusive US right to sell the device next year.

GetJar has previously secured a deal with US operator Sprint, and Reuters notes that GetJar’s chief marketing officer, Patrick Mork, claims the partnership has helped boost app sales by up to 15 percent. Other partnerships secured by GetJar include Belgacom, Sony Ericsson, Rogers, 3UK, The Carphone Warehouse and Virgin Mobile France. GetJar claims to be the world’s second largest app store, reaching 3.5 million downloads per day, totalling over one billion downloads to date. The company’s offering supports all major platforms such as Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, iPhone and Symbian. More details on GetJar’s business model can be found in our recent Focus feature.