MACH, the world leader in direct operator billing, today announced that Skype now supports a new mobile payment option for Skype Credit in Russia, and soon the U.S. and Canada, using its direct operator billing service. With this new payment option, Skype users can now purchase Skype Credit from their mobile devices through a browser-based transaction that is secure, seamless and convenient. They can pay for this transaction either as part of their monthly cell phone bill or using their mobile carrier’s pre-paid account balance.

Using direct operator billing enables Skype to offer a vital alternative payment method to its users, allowing them to enjoy a frictionless user experience. This new payment option will reflect the same prices for Skype Credit as current payment methods. The rollout of direct operator billing in additional countries, and as a payment option for Skype users that are purchasing Skype Credit through a browser on their desktop, will continue through 2013, enabling Skype to create new revenue streams by attracting new users of Skype premium products.

MACH’s partnership with payvia, a leading mobile and online payments company with direct agreements with the main U.S. mobile operators, connects the technology behind MACH’s service, its Direct Billing Gateway, with U.S. mobile operators. It is also connected to the leading mobile operators in Canada and Russia, enabling the delivery of an operator billing service that dramatically improves user experience.

Jason Macklin, Director Billing and Payments, Skype Division - Microsoft, Skype, commented: “We are proud of our heritage in delivering a strong user experience and are pleased that our direct operator billing payment option is now live! As well as our existing users benefitting from this new payment option, we expect direct operator billing to attract new customers who are looking for more convenient ways to manage their spend. Since the announcement of our partnership with MACH in September last year, we have seen direct operator billing gather momentum in North America and Russia, and we are looking forward to rolling the solution out in additional markets in the near future.”

Michael De Jongh, Global Head of Sales, Mobile Billing & Payments, MACH, said: With MACH’s Direct Operator Billing service, Skype now has a flexible, secure and reliable billing solution with a range of benefits for its customers. Its users will be able to charge their Skype Credit to their mobile phone bill or pre-paid account balance, and enjoy the frictionless user experience gained from this payment method. We are very excited to continue working with Skype to roll this out in addtional countries.”

Direct Operator Billing service for mobile applications, content and mobile internet services allows providers to charge subscribers for services direct to their mobile phone bill or pre-paid balance. This creates a significantly improved user-experience through the enhanced frictionless purchase process and delivers greatly enhanced transaction completion rates. By removing the need for cumbersome Premium SMS or credit card payments, it increases the likelihood of customers continuing through to purchase.

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About MACH

MACH is the leading provider of cloud-based, managed communications services for monetizing mobile data, simplifying interoperability between networks, optimizing wholesale processes and protecting revenues. It is fast becoming the provider of choice for real-time, value added services that are essential for communications service providers around the globe to enhance customer experience, optimize wholesale processes and monetize their businesses in 3G and 4G mobile ecosystems. With its long heritage in data and financial clearing, settlement and hub based connectivity models, it provides its 650 operator customers with state-of-the-art tools needed to align business processes. Headquartered in Luxembourg, MACH has offices in 12 countries. Its customers include Orange, Telefonica, T-Mobile, Telus, Verizon Wireless and Microsoft, as well as enterprise messaging customers like KLM. For more information, visit www.mach.com, follow MACHconnects on Twitter or read The MACH Blog.

About payvia

payvia is a leading mobile and online payments company that allows consumers to make simple and secure payments via their mobile phone. By connecting directly to the carrier network, payvia enables consumers to pay for digital goods and services using their mobile phone, adding purchases directly to their carrier bill. Visit us at www.usepayvia.com.

payvia is headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in Seattle and Boston. payvia is part of the m-Qube, Inc. group of companies