BENGALURU: Idea cellular has teamed-up with Google to offer carrier billing for app purchases. Direct Carrier Billing is something awaited since a long time. It has been one of the major concerns for paid apps and in-app purchases here, in India. Google Play allows paying for apps using a debit card but still, it has a limited reach to the users – reports Firstpost.

The new billing system will allow both postpaid and prepaid customers to purchase apps or make any in-app purchase; and a convenience fee will be charged by Idea in addition to the purchase cost. In the case of postpaid, the cost of downloading the app will be added to the monthly bill of the customer, and for the prepaid customers, the amount will be debited from their prepaid account or main balance. User will have to select ‘Bill my Idea Cellular Account’ option, while purchasing.  

The new collaboration is expected to significantly boost app and in-app purchases in the market with low credit and debit card penetration. This is Idea Cellular's second such deal. In December 2014, it enabled carrier billing on Windows Store in India. But the current deal plays a crucial role because India has a large Android user base.

Here’s how it works:

First of all, open your Google Play store and go to the Account Option by clicking the menu on the left side of the window. Click on “Add payment methods,” and select “Pay using Idea” there. You will be asked to register your phone number and after completing the verification process you can purchase any app. In case, if you are unsatisfied with the services of the app, you will have an option to return the app within 2 hours of download and get full refund including the convenience fee charged by Idea.

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