Hot off the press today, RIM has announced that they now have App World integrated billing implemented with more than 50 carriers worldwide. While this may not be the biggest news of the year, it does offer huge advantages to many BlackBerry users.
As an example - here in the UK a big percentage of BlackBerry addicts are teenagers which many will not have access to a credit or debit card for App World payments. Carrier billing will allow them to purchase the apps they want and the cost will just be added to their monthly bill if a contract user. Not only does this take away purchase restrictions but it also simplifies things.
With the BlackBerry subscriber base still growing (despite what the media say) this really is another step in the right direction for RIM and fingers crossed the option will be available to many more carriers as we head into 2013 and get the good stuff - BlackBerry 10.
You can catch the full press release below.
Waterloo, ON - November 26, 2012 - Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced that more than 50 carriers have now implemented integrated carrier billing on the BlackBerry App WorldTM storefront for their customers. The announcement marks a great milestone for RIM, and a big benefit for carriers, developers, content providers, and customers.
Integrated carrier billing enables a customer to purchase apps or digital goods on their BlackBerry smartphone, and simply and conveniently 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. 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.
Ronjon Nag, Vice President for the BlackBerry App World storefront at RIM, said, "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."
Ray Anderson, CEO, Bango, whose mobile payment platform enables charge-to-bill payments in BlackBerry App World, said, "Our relationship with RIM goes from strength to strength and we're delighted to see the integrated carrier billing experience Bango enables on BlackBerry smartphones in the hands of more and more customers. We've seen smartphone users rely increasingly on the ability to charge the costs of digital goods to their carrier bill, and with RIM, we're providing them with a frictionless payment experience."
Dario Talmesio, Principal Analyst, Informa Telecoms & Media, said, "Mobile operators recognize that RIM works closely and constructively with them and with more than 50 operators now offering integrated carrier billing it's a great milestone that shows these relationships are productive. Mobile operators recognize the business benefits this service provides and the opportunities for repeated customer engagement on BlackBerry App World."
BlackBerry App World is now available in 170 markets and territories worldwide offering more than 100,000 BlackBerry smartphone apps.
For a complete listing of carriers offering integrated billing on BlackBerry App World please visit: https://developer.blackberry.com/devzone/appworld
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