Direct mobile billing startup Boku took home a big win last week. The San Francisco-based company expanded its partnership with Microsoft to enable direct carrier billing in the Windows store.
Sprint’s U.S. customers can now make purchases from the Windows store using their mobile phone number. Previously limited to mobile transactions, customers can now purchase applicable content on all Windows devices. Boku’s previous integration with the Windows store resulted in an 8x increase in purchase rates in emerging markets and a 3x increase in developed markets.
In a press release, Boku CEO Jon Prideaux highlighted the solution’s convenience, security, and ubiquity. He says with this new move that “[Microsoft is] creating a tremendous opportunity for developers and consumers alike.”
If you’re not familiar with direct mobile carrier billing, this graphic explains how it works:
In addition to the Windows Store, Boku can be used to make purchases at:
- Google Play
- PlayStation Store
- Facebook App Center
- League of Legends
- Spotify
Boku works with 300+ mobile operators in 60+ countries. The company demoed its mobile payment service at FinovateEurope 2011 in London.