GlobalCharge Uses MACH for Direct Operator Billing in Germany

German mobile subscribers benefit from in-app payment capabilities across all major networks.

Luxembourg, 5 December, 2012 MACH, the world leader in direct operator billing, today announced that micro payments specialist GlobalCharge is now live with its direct operator billing service in Germany. MACH’s Direct Billing Gateway is connected to the four main German mobile operators, enabling in-app payments for more than 80 million subscribers across the country. This latest move has allowed GlobalCharge to rollout frictionless payment capabilities across its client’s mobile apps, broadening customer reach and creating new revenue streams by allowing charges to be made directly to an end-user’s mobile phone bill.

According to MACH research carried out earlier this year, 37% of smartphone users in Germany use direct operator billing as their preferred payment method. Using MACH’s Direct Billing Gateway, GlobalCharge is now supporting end-users in Germany with this fast and convenient one-click payment method, charged directly to their mobile phone bill, when purchasing apps or in-app goods. By offering a direct and sophisticated billing method, MACH provides a new revenue stream for app stores and content providers, while also supporting dynamic app pricing and innovative business models.

Simon Coates, Commercial Director, GlobalCharge, said: “With MACH’s Direct Billing Gateway we are now delivering direct operator billing capability to our clients without them having to set up individual agreements with each German operator in the market. MACH’s ability to enable real-time monitoring of transactions and flexible price points means that we can provide our merchant and developer customers with true e-commerce functionality across their app propositions. Additionally, of course, merchants and developers are also benefiting from the ability to rapidly expand their customer bases by monetizing pre-and post-paid mobile users who don’t own a credit card.

Michael De Jongh, Global Head of Sales, Mobile Billing & Payments, MACH, concluded: “Through this agreement, MACH is providing the glue that unites apps and content developers with operators, simplifying the apps landscape in Germany. The ease of use that direct operator billing brings, especially when compared to other payment methods like credit cards, has been shown to impact how often consumers buy goods from app stores. As a result, direct operator billing both stimulates merchants’ revenue streams and elevates the role of the operator, placing it directly in the e-commerce value chain. As purchasing becomes easier, consumer spending increases leaving direct operator billing with the potential to boost the entire mobile content ecosystem.”

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article/press release are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the approved policy or position of the GSMA or its subsidiaries.

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