Vodafone K.K. Introduces Billing Service for V-applis

Vodafone K.K. announced today it will expand its open content charge service to allow for the billing of V-applis starting late January 2004. The open content charge service is a system where Vodafone live! customers can view open content and have information charges billed directly to their Vodafone account. To coincide with the system’s service expansion for V-applis, Vodafone K.K. will begin accepting applications from interested content providers from December 10.

Previously, only content providers that had their content registered on the Vodafone live! menu list as official content could charge for content by having Vodafone K.K. bill on their behalf. From June 2003, however, Vodafone K.K.’s open content charge service began offering open content providers a new charging option in addition to credit card payments, thereby increasing their business opportunities. By adding open content V-appli billing options, content providers will have more choice in content offerings and Vodafone customers will be able to enjoy an even greater variety of content conveniently and worry-free.

Vodafone K.K. has prepared a dedicated V-appli download server and content providers will be able to offer V-applis to customers by registering their applications on the server in advance. With this system, customers will be able to enjoy open content V-applis in a highly secure environment. Content providers can also bill according to methods that fit their business models by charging either monthly subscription or one-time fees for downloads.

Applications will be accepted from interested content providers starting December 10 via the service explanation page on the Vodafone K.K. website.