Microsoft has just announced new carrier billing additions for app purchases in China, India, and Brazil. On top of that, Verizon Wireless has added Windows Phone to the platform it supports with carrier billing. Here’s what a Microsoft spokesperson told WinBeta:
“With the addition of new carriers, Microsoft has now established connections with 81 carriers in 46 markets. Windows Store has become the first global smartphone platform to enable carrier billing for app purchases in China, India and Brazil. Additionally, Verizon Wireless, the largest carrier in the United States, has added Windows Phone to the platforms it supports with carrier billing. In emerging markets, new carrier billing connections have the immediate impact of increasing total paid transactions by 8x per month and 3x in developed markets as many people in these markets don’t have credit cards.”
Why carrier billing? According to the World Bank, 93% of people in emerging markets do not have a credit card, preventing them from purchasing apps from most global app stores. With carrier billing, this issue is no longer the case.
The Windows Store has become the first global smartphone platform to enable carrier billing for app purchases in China via China Mobile, who serves nearly 800 million customers. India will have Idea, while Brazil will have Claro. Verizon Wireless has also added Windows Phone support for carrier billing, making app purchases a breeze.
“We set out to meet the growing demand for apps in emerging markets by working with carriers around the world to help their customers make purchases with their mobile phone account. We’ve now established connections with 81 carriers in 46 markets, with a combined subscriber base of 2.6 billion – that is 46 percent of all subscribers worldwide(Source: Ovum World Cellular Information Service) and more than any other major smartphone platform supports today.”
According to Microsoft, more than 60 percent of all paid Windows Phone transactions are made via carrier billing. With Microsoft’s focus on low-end smartphones, Windows Phone users in emerging markets can now have an easier time purchasing apps. On the flip side, app developers now have a greater opportunity to make more money!
Further reading: Brazil, China, India, Microsoft, Windows 8.1, Windows Phone, Windows Store
