Mobile Payments and EuroCommerce

Mobile Payments is concerned with transactions conducted using mobile devices. These have typically been micro payments but as the category develops larger ‘macropayments’ are starting to be conducted through these  devices. 

Direct to Bill Payments
This has been the largest category of mobile payments to date.  Content is provided (ringtones, games etc.) either as an “on portal” service directly by the Telco provider or as an “off portal’ service, which is delivered by a third party content provider (called an aggregator) but billed through the Telco operator.

Telcos can make enormous margin through the provision of this billing and content provision service. EuroCommerce can help companies looking to develop this a Direct to Bill option as part of their payment portfolio. It requires intermediation between the carrier and the merchant as well as revenue recognition, tracking and reporting. Consideration needs to be given as to whether the margin due to the Telco carrier makes it a viable option for many types of business.

Direct to Card Payments
A newer and developing area of mobile commerce that EuroCommerce is helping to build is the Direct to Card Space. This allows users to pay bills using their mobile phones but the charge goes back to either a pre-selected card or to a bank account. The user would need to password-enable the payment, and neither the card nor account number is kept on the device making it completely secure. The system is ideal for utilities or other multi-customer companies looking to add a new, easy-to-use payment option to move customers away from expensive cash or cheque-handling habits.  It is equally applicable for any merchant for who would like to add mobile devices to their payment options but for whom working through a Telco bill system is unrealistic.

These are bespoke systems that EuroCommerce is working to develop. We are extending our payment engine to accommodate these payment types and to map the process from device to card and to secure the system. If you have a requirement in this space we would be delighted to look at how the EuroCommerce Mobile commerce Engine could speed your route to market.