Mobile operators launch PayForIt ‘digital wallet’

Mobile operators Orange, Vodafone, T-Mobile, 3 and O2 are now offering ‘PayForIt’, a payment service which allows customers to pay for goods and services via their mobile phone.

The service is likely to be mainly used to buy mobile content such as ring tones and games, but could also be used to purchase low-value items such as train tickets and parking fees.

The payment process is the same regardless of network operator or handset and has been developed as an alternative to other payment systems such as premium rate SMS.

A user clicks on the PayForIt link and is taken to a standard authorisation page to make the payment. The cost is automatically added to their bill or deducted from their balance.

The system has been designed to boost customer confidence in ‘digital wallet’ systems. It has its own branding and logo, and unlike SIM-based systems which can only bill for pre-determined amounts, PayForIt can bill for any amount from one pence up to ten pounds.

The user is identified by their connection, unlike previous SIM-based systems, so it will not work via a Wi-Fi connection.