Mobile operator Vodafone UK has extended its m-pay micro-billing system to cover online consumer payments using debit and credit cards.
The new payment service builds on the February launch of m-pay, which enables Vodafone UK's 13 million registered users to pay for goods and services up to a value of £5, with charges set against their mobile phone bill.
Using m-pay cards, subscribers register their details once with Vodafone and can then use a PIN code to pay for goods online, over the Internet or WAP. As an added security measure, a unique, one-time password will be sent to the customers mobile phone via SMS, which needs to be entered into the site to authorise the transaction.
"Many of the barriers to online commerce have been broken down," says Jim Wadsworth, head of m-commerce, Vodafone UK. "Our customers no longer need to spend time filling in lengthy forms with their credit or debit card number, expiry date etc. When they want to buy something online, once they’re registered it’s just a matter of entering their user name and password and they’re away."
Online merchants supporting the service include Odeon Cinemas, CD-Wow, Blushing Buyer and Friends Reunited.