Research In Motion (RIM) has started implementing what the BlackBerry maker says is a "great milestone" - integrated carrier billing on the BlackBerry App World storefront.
The smartphone maker says more than 50 carriers - including SA's first mobile operator, Vodacom - have already implemented carrier billing, which presents "big benefits for carriers, developers, content providers and customers".
Integrated carrier billing enables customers to purchase apps or digital goods on their BlackBerry smartphone, and have the purchases put directly on their regular monthly bill from their carrier.
RIM says 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. 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."
Ray Anderson, CEO of Bango, whose mobile payment platform enables charge-to-bill payments in BlackBerry App World, says the team has seen smartphone users rely increasingly on the ability to charge the costs of digital goods to their carrier bill.
Dario Talmesio, principal analyst at Informa Telecoms & Media, says mobile operators recognise the business benefits of carrier billing in that it represents an opportunity for repeated customer engagement on BlackBerry App World.
BlackBerry App World is now available in 170 markets and territories worldwide, and offers over 100 000 BlackBerry smartphone apps.
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