Far EasTone Telecommunications Co (遠傳電信) said on Thursday that it is teaming up with Google Inc to allow subscribers to pay for Android apps purchased online via the Google Play store as part of their regular telecom bills.
The nation’s third-largest mobile operator, which began talks with Google early last year, is to become the first Taiwanese carrier to offer in-person payment for app purchases when the service launches sometime in this quarter, Far EasTone executive vice president of Internet and commerce Charlene Hung (洪小玲) said.
Customers will be able to pay up to NT$10,000 per month for app purchases, depending on the individual, when they pay their Far EasTone bill, she said.
“Using telecom bills to pay for apps will be the most convenient method for consumers,” Hung said during an award ceremony for an app competition in Taipei.
Taiwanese are used to paying for everything from electricity bills to online purchases at convenience stores rather than by credit card.
Payments in the new system will be shared by Google, Far EasTone and the developers of the purchased apps, but the amount is not expected to contribute greatly to Far EasTone’s revenues because many Android apps are free.
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