Logica and Network365 are demonstrating a combined solution for charging Internet purchases to consumers' mobile billing accounts. The system extends m-commerce to people who do not have credit cards, and is believed to be the first to allow consumers to pay for goods and services on a prepaid account.
The solution integrates the Network365 mZone Mobile Commerce Server with the Logica Aethos Pre-Paid system. The enhanced product enables users to purchase goods and services with their mobile phone and charge them to their mobile billing account - whether pre-paid or post-paid, say the companies. Subscribers can make purchases using WAP, Web, i-mode or SMS.
"For network operators, this means availability to practically 100% of subscribers, rather than just to those with credit cards, " says Patrick O’Callaghan, marketing vice president at Network365. "It allows mobile users convenient access to goods which might be considered too cheap to incur credit card charges on their purchase. Additionally, purchasing with a pre-paid account is easy, intuitive and secure."
Dave Lawson, director of IN Products, Logica Mobile Networks, says: "Enabling the operator to bill for transactions directly is a key component of an mCommerce solution. Now operators can act as a clearing house between merchants and subscribers in a secure and practical way which adds value and creates a new revenue stream."
Logica has also entered an alliance with mobile infrastructure company AvantGo to deliver access to Web-based data and enterprise applications to corporate customers.
Phil Hibberd, general manager, AvantGo Emea, comments: "There's a lot of hype surrounding mobile technology at the moment, and we welcome this partnership with Logica as a way for enterprise customers to tap into expert advice to ensure they are taking the right approach with mobilising their businesses."