PayNowSMS allows registered users to purchase both online and mobile content from affiliated merchants and pay with a credit or debit card of their choice. Users register their details, including mobile phone number and optional e-mail address once only, and can purchase content from a Web or WAP site, or by simply sending an SMS message. This message contains a unique code for the merchant and product and is sent to a mobile number dedicated to the service. The Upaid platform performs the necessary financial authorisations for the card purchase and instructs the appropriate PayNowSMS merchant to deliver the product to the user.
Users can have content delivered directly to their mobile handsets or receive a username and password to access the content online. The PayNowSMS website also offers account management features, enabling users to track recent purchases and update their details via an online interface.
Merchants joining the new scheme can benefit from lower cash collection costs compared to premium SMS and reverse billing, where operators typically charge higher fees. End-users register their details with PayNowSMS and may then purchase content from any merchant displaying the PayNowSMS logo by sending a simple text message from their mobile phones. The mobile payment processing platform which powers the PayNowSMS service has been designed and is operated by Upaid.
For more information, visit www.paynowsms.com.