Netsize, a Gemalto company, announces that its direct billing platform is now connected to all five of the UK's mobile network operators (MNOs). This allows subscribers to use their existing phone bills or prepaid balances to purchase digital content, applications and services direct from their handsets.
Facilitating secure and convenient payment via standard mobile phone bills, the Netsize solution puts service providers in direct contact with a potential market of over 50 million UK subscribers. Juniper Research1 expects revenues from this channel to rise from $2bn in 2012 to more than $13 billion by 2017.
Deployed by 160 MNOs worldwide, the Netsize direct billing platform overcomes the inflexibility and transaction limits typically associated with charging via premium SMS. Service providers can therefore tailor pricing and subscription strategies to customer requirements whilst maximizing return on investment.
The new Netsize solution is now rapidly expanding the horizons of direct billing, having long been established as a seamless and secure means of charging for digital content including games, apps and videos.
Netsize is recognized as an Accredited Payment Intermediary by Payforit, the independent organization created by the UK's MNOs to support the fast growing market for direct billing. This accreditation reflects the experience and expertise Netsize has gained in this field. Fast growing applications include transit ticketing, vending machines and public car parks, where benefits include far greater convenience and security for end users and more revenues for merchants and content providers.
"Netsize, with overwhelming support from the UK's network operators, has created a single, seamless payment and billing solution that embraces virtually all of the country's mobile subscribers," said Frédéric Deman, General Manager of Netsize. "Mobile operator billing offers a compelling alternative for those who don't have - or don't want to give - their bank account details when purchasing online or with their mobile. For end users, this means unrivaled security and convenience whichever mobile network operator they use."