Fortumo Now Offering App Monetization Opportunities With New Mobile Operator Billing Option to 35 Million Turkcell Customers

Fortumo has partnered with the leading Turkish mobile operator, Turkcell, to start providing an in-app purchasing solution for its AppMarket app store. Android developers can now earn additional revenue with Fortumo’s 1-click direct payment solution from 35 million Turkcell customers.

Alternative app stores such as the Turkcell AppMarket are becoming viable options for many developers to reach new users, especially in emerging markets. Fortumo’s direct carrier billing option adds an additional opportunity for these users to pay for goods and services.

Turkcell launched its AppMarket app store in late 2008 to give content support for Java and Android mobile handsets and tablets. AppMarket’s goal is to encourage both Turkish and global developers to develop mobile applications, support local developers, enable them to reach more smartphone users in Turkey and increase the market share of mobile handset and tablet manufacturers and mobile brands. Turkcell AppMarket is managed by the Turkish mobile entertainment company Basari Mobile.

Fortumo has previously announced partnerships with NOOK, Telenor and SlideME as well as with number of Chinese appstores for providing an in-app purchasing solution for developers in these stores. Fortumo solution gives developers the capability to collect payments from many stores through just one SDK integration. Fortumo also works with device manufacturers like ZTE to preload developer apps into smartphones and tablets.

Direct carrier billing lets users make payments over a data connection by confirming payments with one click on their phone. Since the mobile operator has all the information necessary to process the payment, this removes the need to send any text messages during the payment process. In markets where Fortumo provides direct carrier billing, payment conversion for first-time payments is close to 40% and higher for repeat purchases.

Signing up with Fortumo does not cost anything - there are no sign-up fees, minimum volume requirements or recurring costs. Fortumo charges no fixed fees and there are no minimum monthly volume commitments. Fortumo's commission is made up by a small percentage added on top of the mobile operator's share. Fortumo handles all taxes on behalf of developers and payouts are 100%.

More information on integrating Fortumo’s direct carrier billing option is available on the company’s website.