Microsoft, Boku Partner to Launch Carrier Billing for the new Windows Store

Delivering new age digital enablement for customers, Boku announced an expanded agreement with Microsoft Corp., bringing Boku® direct carrier billing to the new Windows Store for the first time.

As part of the new integration with Boku, consumers will be able to use their mobile phone number to add their mobile operator account as a payment option when making purchases of applicable content in the Windows Store.

This is the first time carrier billing will be offered as a payment option to the full range of Windows devices, including mobile phones, tablets, PCs, or laptops. As part of this partnership carrier billing will be available to mobile subscribers on select carriers in the United States and internationally, with further expansion underway.

“The Windows Store is designed to be a one-stop shopping experience for free and paid digital content. We believe offering carrier billing is important to giving consumers a convenient payment method and driving developer monetization”

“Microsoft is a great example of a company that has always understood the value of carrier billing and, with the new Windows Store, they are creating a tremendous opportunity for developers and consumers alike,” said Jon Prideaux, CEO of Boku. “What’s worth highlighting about this particular implementation is that carrier billing will be offered across all Windows 10 devices, not just the mobile phone. This is consistent with the way in which we consume digital content today and proof that carrier billing is hardly just a payment method for on-mobile purchases. Its convenience, security, and ubiquity make it a great general-purpose alternative payment in any setting.”

According to data released by Microsoft, Windows Phone carrier billing contributes, on average, an 8x lift in purchase rates in emerging markets and 3x in developed markets. Over 60% of Windows Phone Store monthly paid users originated from carrier billing. This new alliance will extend this capability to all Windows 10 devices.

In the Windows Store, Microsoft customers can easily and quickly designate payment through a carrier by using the payment instrument system in the Windows Store. Once initialized, customers are able to charge app and digital content purchases directly to their mobile operator account.

“The Windows Store is designed to be a one-stop shopping experience for free and paid digital content. We believe offering carrier billing is important to giving consumers a convenient payment method and driving developer monetization,” said Todd Brix, Windows Store General Manger. “We decided to work with Boku because of its team, technology, and carrier relationships.”