Bango is a company that was founded in 1999. Their goal, at that time was to capitalize on the growth in the number of mobile phones and the arrival of the Internet on these devices. Using this concept, Bango provides mobile billing and analytics for businesses focused on Internet-enabled mobile phone users.
In September 2012, Bango announced that Facebook went live with the Bango platform integration. You can check out MobilityTechzone’s Mobility Techzone for more information. This allowed Facebook’s mobile Internet users to purchase digital content without the limitations of credit cards. Using the Bango payment platform creates a simpler carrier based billing transaction which makes it more likely that someone on a mobile phone will complete a “buy” transaction.
On March 28, 2013, in Cambridge, UK, Bango announced that globally, it now has 100 mobile operator payment connections. Their original goal of being able to deliver a frictionless payment experience as far and wide as possible is ever moving forward. In addition to Facebook, some of the other existing app store connections include BlackBerry, Google Play and others.
Bango’s strategy has always been to work with mobile operators in an effort to launch direct operator billing to app stores and brands. Bango focuses on key operator partnerships within local markets. This technique enables partners to offer paid content where it was not previously viable.
The 100th operator connection for Bango was in Columbia. The connection is between Telefonica subscribers into BlackBerry World. Those subscribers can now pay for digital goods and services without needing cards, pre-registered accounts or having to send SMS messages, instead they pay with one-click operator billing, charging purchases to their phone bill. This process also makes it easier for the user to see all of the purchases that went through Bango in one central location, their phone bill. This is a concept that makes it easier for both parties and therefore, more likely to complete that “buy” transaction.
Counting the U.S., UK, Germany and Spain, this 100th connection means that Bango now has active connections in 47 countries. This also extends Bango’s opportunity to more than one billion mobile subscribers.
There is no denying that through the use of smartphones and tablets that consumers are using these mobile devices to make more and more purchases on a daily basis. Bango gives the mobile operator an opportunity to take advantage, or at least, get a piece of the action. Mobile operators can capitalizes on the credit relationship in place with the phone user. Previously, the app economy had a strong hold on a world of commerce “over the top” of the mobile operator’s networks, while denying them a slice of these transactions. Operator billing is allowing them to fight back, while offering a truly frictionless payment experience to the user. Let’s be honest, who does not want a frictionless payment experience?
“I’m immensely proud of the integration team which has driven us to the magic number 100. There is unprecedented energy now behind operator billing, as we unlock the win/win of frictionless payment flows and improved conversion rates. Much of my team’s focus is now on emerging markets, and we’re working hard to connect operators across Latin America, India and other parts of Asia,” said Karen Oakley, vice president of operations at Bango.
The 100th operator connection is a milestone for Bango. In addition, as of March 28, 2013, Bango has progressed to 105 live operator connections.
Edited by
Brooke Neuman 
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