Mobile Billing

What is Mobile Billing?

A type of user flow starting from the moment they see the ad and finishing when they subscribe/make the purchase. Mobile billing, often known as mobile carrier billing, is an alternative payment mechanism that allows users to pay for products directly on their phone bills instead of paying with a more traditional payment method like a credit or debit card, bank transfer, or cash. Mobile carrier billing dates back to the days before smartphones. Still, it is on the rise in developed and emerging markets alike, thanks to its convenience, security, and availability to minors and unbanked clients. There are various types of mobile carrier billing. One is paid by SMS. SMS payments (sometimes known as premium SMS payments) allow users to pay with text messages rather than credit cards.

Customers can pay via SMS in two ways: The mobile SMS billing systems are designated as either (MT) Mobile Terminated SMS Billing or (MO) Mobile Originated SMS Billing. The second one is direct carrier billing. The DCB payment mechanism, also known as direct operator billing, is more convenient for customers than premium SMS billing because it eliminates the need to register, log in, or send an SMS to complete the checkout process. Mobile websites, applications, and games are especially fond of using direct carrier billing as a payment method. Merchants can accept direct carrier billing from customers checking out on their mobile phones or customers checking out on a PC or tablet. Mobile Transaction Billing or Mobile Transaction Processing are other names for this service. Carriers typically require special permission from their Central Banks to offer this service, a requirement because their product transforms into a money service business on top of their standard carrier services. As a result, this service isn’t available everywhere.

The third one is known as Wireless Application Protocol.WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) billing is a form of direct carrier billing and was one of the first mobile billing solutions for mobile content downloads or subscriptions. Customers who use a WAP browser or application, which can automatically detect the devices’ MSISDN (Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network Number) stored in the SIM card, can make "one-click" purchases from their phones. The network, country, and subscriber number can all be included in this list. The WAP can then instruct the mobile service provider to charge the subscriber’s account.

Although it’s rare in some countries, web-based software that confirms the transaction on the computer can also be found. Mobile carriers have created distribution networks for P2P money collection in some regions. Special SIM card users can transfer credits to other users who want to buy credits from those who have theirs. In this way, the Mobile Carrier can connect to an extensive network without relying on physical establishments or organizations.

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