Vodafone confirms operator billing for Android apps

Android

Vodafone has rolled out operator billing for Android Apps, meaning users won't have to go through the process of entering credit card details when making a purchase.

The service has been made available in the UK and Germany, allowing users to pay for Android apps either in their phone bills or prepay accounts.

"This evolution in Android app payment greatly improves the user's purchase experience and consequently their likelihood of completing a sale," a Vodafone blog post for developers read.

"In addition to facilitating the best possible user experience, Vodafone operator billing extends your reach to the large number of app buying customers who are unwilling or unable to use credit cards. In some countries this can be more than 90 per cent of the market."

Initially, the service will only be available to those who bought their phones directly through Vodafone's online and retail channels.

Vodafone promised more information on operator billing in other markets outside of the UK and Germany "soon."

In announcing operator billing, Vodafone becomes the first provider to offer such a service in the UK.

Such moves will most likely boost the ever-growing popularity of Android. Read on for our look at whether Android is unstoppable after Google's acquisition of Motorola.

Tom Brewster

Tom Brewster is currently an associate editor at Forbes and an award-winning journalist who covers cyber security, surveillance, and privacy. Starting his career at ITPro as a staff writer and working up to a senior staff writer role, Tom has been covering the tech industry for more than ten years and is considered one of the leading journalists in his specialism.

He is a proud alum of the University of Sheffield where he secured an undergraduate degree in English Literature before undertaking a certification from General Assembly in web development.