Like ISIS partner Verizon, T-Mobile has added a new payments capability to its service line. Targeted at digital content publishers and distributors, the service allows T-Mobile customers to charge their digital content purchases to their mobile phone numbers. No word on the cost to the publisher and revenues to T-Mobile, but the bill-to-phone capability is provided through partners who charge in the 10 percent range for their services. The new service should work very well for niche applications like digital content. T-Mobile, like Verizon, will leave the point of sale challenge to ISIS.
T-Mobile said the billing services will be provided by players such as BilltoMobile and Payfone, among others. The carrier said the payments will be monitored by both itself and its billing service partners. T-Mobile will also provide customers with fraud controls, age-appropriate blocking tools and spending limit tools.
Because carriers don’t want an excessive amount charged on the phone bill, T-Mobile has a limit of $25 per individual transaction and a cap of $200 each month.