Net mobile : links 3 Italia for Direct Carrier Billing in Google Play™ and Windows Phone Store

3 Italia's subscribers can now pay directly for purchases in Windows Phone Store as well as in Google Play Store via their mobile phone bill.

Dusseldorf, 04. September 2015 -

3 Italia, the Italian mobile operator controlled by CK Hutchison, is now offering its over 10 million subscribers the opportunity to pay for purchases in Google Play as well as Windows Phone Store with Direct Carrier Billing. Both integrations allow customers to use their mobile phone - as opposed to a credit card - as their preferred payment method to pay for games, music, videos and apps.

3 Italia has awarded the contract to Dusseldorf based Direct Carrier Billing specialist net mobile AG (net-m). The assignment took place as part of the Group "3" framework contract with the international company CK Hutchison in the course of which customers of "3" in Austria, Hong Kong, Ireland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom can already use the new payment method in Google Play.

Sebastian Böhm, Senior Vice President and Executive Director responsible for Payment Solutions at net mobile AG adds: "With 3 out of 4 devices currently on sale by 3 Italia being either Android™ or Windows Phone based smartphones, both direct carrier billing App Store integrations facilitate digital content purchases for the large majority of 3 Italia customers."

Recent studies document the strong interest in mobile App Stores especially in Italy stating that 1 out of 3 Italian mobile surfers have already purchased an app on their smartphone and that 1 in 2 would rather use carrier billing as a mobile payment system instead of a credit card.(1)

His sentiments are echoed by a delighted Alberto Silva, Marketing & Strategy Director from 3 Italia. "Direct carrier billing as a convenient and safe way to purchase digital goods in Google Play and Windows Phone Store is of high appeal to our customers. The partnership with net-m helped us to realize both integrations in parallel and within a short period of time."

net mobile AG is working in close collaboration with Google, Microsoft and other Over-the-Top players holding a leadership position for mobile payment services globally. net-m's payment infrastructure makes it easy to connect different payment interfaces and guarantees stringent compliance with various regulatory and technical requirements when in operation.

As a result of its innovative payment architecture for mobile network operators around the world, the Dusseldorf specialist for mobile payment serves approximately 220 million users who can pay for purchased digital goods easily and safely via their mobile phone bill with the one-click Direct Carrier Billing payment method.

(1) Osservatorio Mobile & App Economy "Mobile & App Economy: verso il 2% del Pil". Politecnico di Milano

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The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

3 Italia was the first mobile operator launching UMTS services in 2003. Under the brand "3", the company offers communication, fast Internet and TV mobile services to over 10 million customers. 3 Italia has been contributing to Italy's development and to the digital divide reduction by investing 15 billion Euros in innovation. Through its mobile fast Internet network, 3 Italia reaches the 97% of population. 3 Italia is part of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited (CK Hutchison), the renowned multinational conglomerate committed to innovation and technology listed on the main board at The Hong Kong Stock Exchange. CK Hutchison employs approximately 270,000 people in over 50 countries across the world.www.tre.it.

net mobile AG is a leading international full-service provider of payment solutions and mobile value added services. The company, founded in November 2000, is regarded as an innovation leader in the marketplace. Clients worldwide include national and global mobile telecommunication providers, media companies, online shopping portals, brand name companies and television networks, for which complete white label solutions such as direct carrier billing and mobile television services are provided. Since December 2009, NTT DOCOMO, INC. is the main shareholder with over 87% share ownership.www.net-mobile.com.