[Update] The European PlayStation Blog has confirmed that the PlayStation Network and PlayStation Network are now online in European (PAL) regions. [End of Update]

Following a period of planned maintenance for the PlayStation Network, and fulfilling an earlier held claim that Sony’s online service would return to full functionality this week, the PlayStation Store is now back online.

The US PlayStation Blog writes:

“The PlayStation Store is back online and thank you everyone for your patience. You will notice a huge lineup of new downloadable games, demos, add-on content, themes, avatars and videos. Also, PlayStation Plus has been updated with new full game trials, free games and DLC, free avatars and even more discounts.”

Although the promised ‘Welcome Back’ content offers aren’t yet available, the blog writes that it is “in the final stages of testing” and will be available “soon.”

You can expect the next PlayStation Store publish to occur this Friday, June 3rd, but for now check out the list of brand new content available on the US PS Store over here.

In addition, El33tonline’s Tom has let me know that the PlayStation Store is live in South Africa, too, which means there’s a good chance the online storefront is also available in other ‘European’ regions.

The return of the PlayStation Store comes after roughly six weeks of inactivity, following malicious cyber attacks on the PlayStation Network resulting in the removal of the service completely.

While PSN was brought back online after three weeks, it’s taken almost three additional weeks for Sony to safely bring the PlayStation Store to full functionality to ensure the security of its service.