In its battle to out do rival Verizon Wireless, AT&T is set to ramp up software development at their new offices in both the United States and Israel with a view to capitalise on the expanding market for applications for the iPhone and Android platforms.

According to an article over on Bloomberg, by Greg Bensinger, the Big Blue next week will announce their plans to open offices in Tel Aviv, Palo Alto California and Plano Texas and said offices will offer advice to software companies on mobile app development.

According to chief technology officer, John Donovan, said in an interview, the project is costing “tens of millions of dollars”, and further said he plans to meet with as many as 400 software companies a year and listen to 8 to 10 minute pitches which he calls “speed dating.”

Apparently the plan is for AT&T to tap the mobile software market with a view to offering consumer and business applications faster than their biggest rival Verizon Wireless and second biggest rival Sprint.