Samsung Electronics has announced operator billing integration, the first-of-its kind, for its Samsung app store by allowing users to download their favorite apps and games with the option of payment through their mobile bill. In the first phase, Samsung has associated with Vodafone and Aircel for offering this service, integration with other leading operators will be announced soon.

With a host of thousands of relevant applications, Samsung App store is the first OEM to provide this unique offering for a global Android App store within India. Starting 1st May 2014, the operator billing integration is available for both prepaid and postpaid customers to enjoy uninterrupted downloads.

“We are excited to partner with India’s major telecom operators for this unique integration. This exclusive tie-up on Samsung App store further showcases our commitment to providing the best service experience to our customers. Given the poor credit card penetration in the country, we are positive that this move will be welcomed by customers. It is another step forward to expand our engagement with the publisher and developer community by enhancing adoption as well as monetization from the store”, said Tarun Malik, Director of Media Solutions Center-South West Asia, Samsung Electronics. 

                                                          

“With the growth of smartphones and mobile internet, people are increasingly showing more interest in mobile apps and content services. 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”, said Vivek Mathur, Chief Operating Officer, Vodafone India.

“With a low penetration of mobile application purchase through credit cards, there is need for telecom operators to play a significant role in order to improve customers’ mobile usage experience. 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. Through this service, Aircel customers will easily be able to download any application without worrying about the mode of payment”, said Anupam Vasudev, Chief Marketing Officer, Aircel. 

                                            

Besides apps and games, the service will also be expanded to cover the recently announced Kindle book service built for Samsung. The App has already been introduced in the country along with existing Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets above Android 4.0 worldwide. As part of this service, Samsung and Amazon will launch Samsung Book Deals, available to all customers using Kindle for Samsung.

Samsung’s Galaxy range of devices offers best-in-class audio and viewing experience, which in turn, is spurring the data consumption. The company is providing Samsung App Store pre-bundled in its devices.