Google plans to partner with Bharti Airtel to offer carrier billing services for its digital purchases through the service provider. Once finalised, the deal will facilitate the former company to sell its applications and digital content to Airtel subscribers in the country without having to collect their banking details. Currently, the Indian mobile users pay for their purchases from Google’s applications store, Google Play through credit cards, debit cards or gift cards.
Google and Airtel are expected to announce the deal once they reach a consensus on revenue sharing and receive regulatory approval.
Currently, Google offers carrier billing options to customers in 26 countries, including the US, UK and Singapore. In June 2014, it tied up with UAE-based telecom operator Etisalat to offer carrier billing in the region.
Microsoft is also keen to launch a carrier billing solution for its Windows phone application store in India.
