Fortumo, Apigate partner to launch content services in Cambodia

Fortumo and Apigate, a subsidiary of Axiata Digital, have collaborated to launch content services in Cambodia via Smart Axiata’s Direct Carrier Billing API.

This collaboration will enable Smart’s subscribers to make payments in app stores for digital content and games by conveniently charging the payments to their mobile phone bill.

Almost half of Cambodians own a smartphone, while credit card ownership in the country is below 3 percent. This implies a majority of users have the ability to access free online content, without the ability to pay for premium services. Direct Carrier Billing API helps digital merchants overcome this challenge by allowing any prepaid and postpaid mobile user to make payments through their telco balance instead.

Through this collaboration, Fortumo is only required to integrate once with Apigate to deploy premium content by digital content providers at a faster rate and reduced costs to more than 8 million Smart subscribers. Apigate provides Fortumo with immediate access to the Cambodian API marketplace, thus enhancing sales and business reach for all parties involved.

Chief Executive Officer of Axiata Digital, Mohd Khairil Abdullah said, “This collaboration adds value to Apigate by tapping into the underserved segment in Cambodia which consists largely of the prepaid segment without credit card ownership. We look forward to create a long-term collaboration with Fortumo and derive mutual benefits from scale, faster delivery, and richer content for the underserved segment across our footprint.”

“Digital merchants are increasingly relying on telco channels for user acquisition, payments, and loyalty. Fortumo is able to give them access to these channels at scale, by enabling global expansion through one integration. We are excited to plug in another connection with Apigate, a leading and innovative API platform and services provider in the region, to create increased reach and revenue both for our merchants as well as our telco partner,” said Sid Sahi, Vice President of Carrier Sales and Business Development in South-East Asia, Fortumo.

Incorporated in 2017, Apigate has built a network of global and regional partners including major marketplaces such as the Apple App Store and Google Playstore. Apigate’s hubs across four continents in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America gives it access to 1.3 billion customers from over 50 MNOs.

Fortumo’s service is used by leading digital merchants and mobile operators around the world. In addition, Fortumo offers local market insights and facilitates relationships with mobile operators.