WATERLOO – More than 50 carriers have implemented integrated carrier billing on the BlackBerry App World storefront for their customers says RIM.
Integrated carrier billing enables a customer to purchase apps or digital goods on their BlackBerry smartphone, and have the purchases put directly on their regular monthly bill from their carrier. Integrated carrier billing is also integrated with the BlackBerry Payment Service, which enables developers and content providers to offer in-app purchases (such as additional levels in a game), as well as supporting one-off and recurring (subscription-based) purchases, without interrupting the customer's app experience.
Carrier billing services have proven to drive significant value for the whole mobile ecosystem, including carriers, developers, content providers, and customers says RIM. Aggregated data indicates that customers' propensity to purchase apps on BlackBerry App World increases when carrier billing is offered, with an average of 75% of gross sales transacted through the carrier and average carrier revenues derived from apps increased between 100%-300% after launch.
"We're delighted to announce that over 50 of our carrier partners are now offering integrated carrier billing to customers on BlackBerry App World. We remain committed to developing innovative ways to support our carrier partners, while providing a platform that benefits the whole mobile ecosystem," says Ronjon Nag, Vice President for the BlackBerry App World storefront at RIM.
Ray Anderson, CEO, Bango, whose mobile payment platform enables charge-to-bill payments in BlackBerry App World, said smartphone users increasingly rely on the ability to charge the costs of digital goods to their carrier bill. “With RIM we're providing them with a frictionless payment experience."
BlackBerry App World is now available in 170 markets and territories worldwide offering more than 100,000 BlackBerry smartphone apps.
