The Carrier Billing API is a standardised API under CAMARA that allows developers to integrate carrier billing as a payment method into their applications.

CAMARA, the open-source project led by the Linux Foundation in collaboration with the GSMA, aims to universalise network APIs under the same standards for all telecommunications companies.

The Unified API Access feature provides a single, standardised interface to access the telecommunications capabilities of different network carriers, simplifying integration for developers.

Paying through a carrier allows users to make purchases with a minimum amount of data, eliminating the need to enter credit card information or additional authentication.

The standardised API provides uniform access to the payment functionality across different telcos, ensuring a consistent and reliable payment experience regardless of the carrier involved.

The GSMA plays a key role in setting standards and guidelines for carrier billing, ensuring consistency and interoperability across the industry.

By paying through the carrier, users don’t have to share sensitive payment information, thus reducing the risk of data breaches and unauthorised access to personal financial data, such as credit card information.

By offering payment through the carriers, companies can access previously untapped markets and demographics, such as the unbanked and underbanked, young consumers without credit cards and users who prefer mobile billing.

A wide range of services, including digital content subscriptions, in-app purchases, online services and in-game purchases. This integration is particularly relevant in Europe, where all these services fall within the scope of the Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2). PSD2 aims to improve consumer protection, encourage innovation and promote safe and efficient payment methods, making payment through carriers a favourable option for businesses operating in the European market.

Carrier Billing provides a simple and secure payment method for in-app purchases, virtual currency top-ups and game subscriptions, increasing conversion rates and enhancing the user experience.

In most cases, users can automatically access payment through their carrier, as it is usually offered by their mobile network operator. In cases where the user has not activated the carriers billing service, the user merely has to accept the terms and conditions of service on the mobile line.

Carrier Billing is PSD2 compliant, including the Strong Customer Authentication requirement for enhanced security. This assures users there is secure and compliant payment processing as the necessary authentication measures are implemented and the transaction limits set by the directive (EUR 300/month and EUR 50/transaction) are complied with. This provides a secure and reliable payment method, which complies with the legal requirements for payment services in the European Union.