T-Mobile USA, which launched direct carrier billing for the Android Market two years ago, is rolling out a new program that extends that service to purchases from virtually any online source.
The nationwide purchasing program now gives the carrier’s customers the opportunity to make secure purchases of digital content and services – games, social networking credits, video, music, etc. – and have them be billed directly to their T-Mobile account from their Web browser, whether it’s on a PC, tablet or smartphone.
BilltoMobile, Boku, OpenMarket, Payfone, and Zong will provide the billing services, eliminating the need for customers to manually enter credit-card information. There is a wide variety of trusted online storefronts and merchant websites for T-Mobile subscribers to visit. Purchases will show up on their monthly phone bill. The carrier says it’s taken great lengths to provide security, including fraud controls, age-appropriate content blocking and spending limit management tools. There’s a two-step customer authentication process when you make a purchase.
T-Mobile’s new Direct Carrier Billing should be available later in August. Customers will be given the option when buying online content from participating providers using their mobile device. Standard data and texting rates do apply, but there’s no additional fee tacked onto purchase prices.
