Credit: Shutterstock photoIn what comes across as welcome news, Microsoft Corporation’s (MSFT) plan to bring ‘direct carrier billing’ to the new Windows Store has come to fruition with its partnership with Boku, Inc. Now, Windows 10 customers will be able to purchase anything on the new Windows Store, be it apps, music, videos, games and more by just using their mobile numbers. This means that these purchases would not require the use of a traditional payment system such as credit, debit card or net banking.
During April 2015 at the Microsoft Build Developer Conference, Microsoft announced its plan of incorporating carrier billing across Windows 10 devices. The press release read, “The Windows Store will also offer a single unified experience for Windows 10 customers across devices and make finding great content easier than ever – across apps, games, music, video and other content. Transactions will take advantage of a range of popular payment options, including the largest carrier billing footprint of any ecosystem, supporting 90 mobile operations.”
The whole system of ‘direct carrier billing’ has taken on a new dimension since the announcement of a partnership between Microsoft and Boku, which takes it beyond just mobile phones. Boku is a leading direct carrier billing mobile payments company reaching more than 4 billion consumers in more than 70 countries. Its bank-grade payments technology allows consumers to charge purchases to their mobile phone bill. The partnership opens doors to purchases from the full range of Windows devices, including PCs, laptops and tablets, in addition to phones.
Here is a quick look at what ‘direct carrier billing’ exactly means: While most purchases are usually made by customers using a credit card, debit card or net banking services, under the system of ‘direct carrier billing’, purchases are charged to the user’s mobile phone bill. This method was originally used by mobile service providers to charge customers for the extra services like wallpapers or ringtones.
Needless to say, it has moved far beyond that. This method saves customers the hassle of entering credit card numbers and security codes. These services are particularly useful and effective in developing markets where the penetration of mobile phones is deeper than banking services.
According to Jon Prideaux, CEO of Boku, “What’s worth highlighting about this particular implementation is that carrier billing will be offered across all Windows 10 devices, not just the mobile phone. This is consistent with the way in which we consume digital content today and proof that carrier billing is hardly just a payment method for on-mobile purchases. Its convenience, security, and ubiquity make it a great general-purpose alternative payment in any setting.”
The ‘direct carrier billing’ will be currently available for Windows Store through select carriers like Sprint (S) in the U.S. Globally, other carriers are expected to join Sprint in the near future.
Final Word
The Windows Store has been designed to provide free and paid access to apps and digital content. With this partnership, Microsoft is trying to push up the developer monetization while providing a convenient way for its users to make purchases.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
