Apple Expands iTunes Carrier Billing to Japan as Rollout Gains Pace

[MacRumors]

Apple today added Japan to its list of countries eligible for iTunes carrier billing, suggesting the company is set to fast-track its expansion of the payment feature to regions across the globe (via Mashable).

Japan becomes the fifth market to accept the transaction method, which allows users to charge iTunes content purchases directly to their cellphone bill instead of registering a bank card or using a gift coupon. The feature got its launch in Switzerland and Taiwan yesterday, following its debut in Germany and Russia last year.

According to an anonymous source who spoke to CNBC, customers with Japan's second largest mobile company KDDI will be able to use the payment mode, which has yet to be officially announced in the country. Apple has posted instructions on how to use the convenience feature, which can be found in the Payment Information section of the iTunes Store after users have signed in with their credentials.

Users in Japan make up the third largest market for App Store transactions, behind China and the U.S., indicating Apple's willingness to make carrier billing its next go-to online purchase method behind Apple Pay. There's no word as yet regarding which countries will be next to get Apple's approval for the feature, but the company has several more countries in the near-term pipeline, sources said.

Apple appears ready to go the way of Google, which already offers mobile billing to users of its Google Play store in 45 markets, including deals with Japan's top three cellular carriers.

Apple's more deliberate rollout has likely been dependent on how prepared mobile companies are to cut a deal with Cupertino and accept lower transaction handling rates. While carriers have charged as much as 10 to 30 percent to handle transactions in the past, Apple has previously secured deals for better rates in the single digits.

Article Link: Apple Expands iTunes Carrier Billing to Japan as Rollout Gains Pace

 

[Shirasaki]

Recharge iTunes account through carrier? Sounds interesting.
But could people already buy iTunes gift card on local convenient store long time ago?
Kinda don't understand why.

 

[japanime]

Sorry, but there's no way I'm going to let my Japanese cell provider to get their sticky fingers onto any more of my money. In my experience, when they make a billing error, it takes months to sort out.

 

[Shirasaki]

Sorry, but there's no way I'm going to let my Japanese cell provider to get their sticky fingers onto any more of my money. In my experience, when they make a billing error, it takes months to sort out.

Really? I though Japanese obsession of time could help solving problems faster. Or they just don't want to solve it?

 

[japanime]

Really? I though Japanese obsession of time could help solving problems faster. Or they just don't want to solve it?

I've dealt with all three of the major carriers — NTT, KDDI and Softbank — and all three operate at a snail's pace when it comes to refunding charges they have erroneously billed.

 

[Shirasaki]

I've dealt with all three of the major carriers — NTT, KDDI and Softbank — and all three operate at a snail's pace when it comes to refunding charges they have erroneously billed.

Ugh. My Australian ISP Optus worked fast enough on fixing my problems so far. No more than 2 days I remember.
That is, if recharging iTunes credit through carrier is possible, when something goes wrong, hmmm...even 500 yen is a pain.

 

[Porno]

Great news!

 

[Avieshek]

Those are developed countries. Should roll out in places like India-Pakistan.

 

[jessejarvi]

This is going to be bad for parents paying their kids cellphone bill.

 

[RedOrchestra]

"...which allows users to charge iTunes content purchases directly to their cellphone bill instead of registering a bank card or using a gift coupon."

WOW ... hard to understand going this route rather than through an iTunes account ... I fuel my account with 15% - 25% OFF iTunes cards.

 

[Rvsymmot]

Can see this being used a lot in Japan. People let carries get away with a lot here, and very few want to add their credit card to their account.

 

[S.B.G]

I wonder if we'll see this option become available with U.S. carriers at some point, not that I'd consider actually using it though - I'm happy paying for stuff with my iTunes account.

 

[iDuel]

"...which allows users to charge iTunes content purchases directly to their cellphone bill instead of registering a bank card or using a gift coupon."

WOW ... hard to understand going this route rather than through an iTunes account ... I fuel my account with 15% - 25% OFF iTunes cards.

Having lived outside the U.S., the iTunes card discounts are really only a U.S./Canada thing. I never noticed a discount on iTunes cards either at local supermarkets or at iStorm (Apple Authorized Retailer). Though considering the way consumers are in the U.S., I can't see carrier billing from Apple coming to the U.S.