The mobile payments company, Fortumo has launched a new version of its Android in-app purchasing SDK for app stores that has the capability to process offline payments - when users are not connected to the internet. The offline payments will resolve billing challenges in emerging markets, said Fortumo, which is backed by Intel Capital and Greycroft Partners.
Fortumo allows merchants to set up payment processing for web and mobile services, games or apps. Users with a mobile phone are then able to make one-click payments using Fortumo without the need for a credit card, where payments are charged to their mobile operator bill instead. Fortumo said that Android app stores can use Fortumo to quickly onboard entertainment and gaming content for its subscribers, as has for example been done by Turkcell in Turkey and Telenor in Pakistan.
In addition to app stores, Fortumo works with social networks, PC and web game developers as well as streaming content platforms to enable them to provide access to users without credit cards, especially in the emerging markets. The solution, which works across a wide variety of platforms - web, mobile web, feature phones and smart TVs - does not require developers to pay for any monthly fees or minimum volume commitments on the carrier billing service, added Fortumo.
Martin Koppel, CEO of Fortumo
Carrier billing works best in emerging markets where a large number of users do not own a credit card to make payments online. But even when carrier billing is available, users who are not connected to the internet have so far been unable to make payments. Fortumo’s Android SDK changes this by enabling transactions for offline users as well. This increases revenue for app stores and developers publishing in these stores even further when compared to traditional credit card based billing solutions.
