Samsung ties up with Vodafone, Aircel for billing integration

Samsung Electronics today said it has partnered with Vodafone and Aircel, wherein users can download applications and games from Samsung app store and make the payment through their mobile bill.
The company said starting May 1, 2014, the operator billing integration is available for both prepaid and postpaid customers of these operators for downloads.
"We are excited to partner with India's major telecom operators for this unique integration. Given the poor credit card penetration in the country, we are positive that this move will be welcomed by customers," Samsung Electronics Director of Media Solutions Center-South West Asia Tarun Malik said.

The company said going forward, integration with other leading operators will also be announced.
"This partnership will provide Vodafone customers ready access to the Samsung App Store with the convenience of operator billing. The limited penetration of credit cards makes this service a huge convenience for customers who can now use their Vodafone account to purchase apps and content," Vodafone India Chief Operating Officer Vivek Mathur said.
The company said it is first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in the country to integrate payment module for an Android App store.
Samsung said besides applications and games, the service will also be expanded to cover the recently announced Kindle book service built for Samsung.

"Aircel is delighted to partner with Samsung, with an objective to offer its customers the convenience and flexibility to buy paid applications through the operator billing system," Aircel Chief Marketing Officer Anupam Vasudev said.