txtNation, leading Mobile Billing and messaging aggregator today announced they have seen a substantial increase in Direct Operator Billing transactions in recent months.

On the back of enabling their first market for Direct Billing in Ireland earlier this year, many more countries have followed where txtNation have network connectivity, enabling the facilitation of direct payments to customers mobile phones, complimenting the already popular Premium SMS billing.

Michael Whelan, txtNation Director quotes, "2012 will be very interesting for Direct Operator Billing, as it's really starting to take off. Direct Billing is technically advantageous but also commercially very attractive, two things in telecoms that don't always co-exist. Quite simply, Direct Operator Billing is an innovative and exciting way of billing customers.”

txtNation claim that one in five new service providers is applying for Direct Billing set up via their in-house approval process and state clearly it's important that service providers also understand that an approval process for Direct Operator Billing is required and it cannot be seen to be doing something that Premium SMS billing can already do.

Michael Whelan, "What we are seeing now, is only the start of this new wave of mobile payments. Direct Billing provides an attractive alternative to P-SMS Billing for both mobile operators and service providers looking to monetize their channels. The nature of DOB is far superior to other billing systems - one click and you're done.”

txtNation are clear with their claim that Direct Operator Billing will not lead to cannibalisation of P-SMS or other mobile payment alternatives, as DOB will be used for different purposes. i.e. where it technically fits and commercially is viable.

According to analysts at Strategy Analytics, in a report earlier this year, the firm asked consumers in the U.S. and Western Europe to rate their interest level for the mobile payment options available. Top of the list was Direct Carrier Billing, listed above competitive billing systems, including that of iTunes, where pre-registration is required.

txtNation are already seeing more transactions than in previous months through this billing technology and realise that in the long run billing options that suit the requirements of both the 'customers and business' with enriched security will only work and be around for the long term.

Adam Williams, txtNation Networks Co-ordinator quotes, “Slower developing markets, that have historically been satisfied with the Premium SMS model are now looking to realise the potential of alternative billing mechanisms - for example, Direct Operator Billing. It's an extremely fluid situation. Just last week a major Belgian operator informed us that they intend to launch operator billing in Q1/Q2 2012, something that seemed very unlikely just six months ago. 2012 could be a game-changing year for the industry.”

txtNation is backing Direct Billing for the long term and investing in its success.

You can find out more about txtNation, its Mobile Billing solutions and more on accepting Direct Operator payments by visiting http://www.txtnation.com/about/call/, emailing [email protected] or calling +44 (0)1752 484 333. Latest news can be found on txtNation's blog at http://blog.txtnation.com.