What is direct carrier billing?

How customers pay for digital content and services on their mobile phone bill, and what it takes to offer it.

Direct carrier billing in brief

Direct carrier billing (DCB) is a payment method that charges a purchase to the customer's mobile account, either added to their monthly bill or deducted from their airtime balance. No card or bank account is needed.

It is used for digital goods such as app and game purchases, subscriptions, streaming and other mobile content.

How it works

1. The customer chooses to pay by mobile
   At checkout, they select the carrier billing option next to other payment methods.
2. The customer is identified and confirms
   Their phone number is identified or entered, and they confirm the purchase, often with a one-time code or a prompt.
3. The operator charges the account
   The mobile operator charges the amount to the customer's bill or balance.
4. The merchant is settled
   The operator pays the merchant or service provider, after keeping an agreed share.

Why businesses offer it

• Reaches customers who have a mobile phone but no card or bank account
• A short checkout, since the customer is already known to the operator
• Works for small, frequent payments such as daily or weekly subscriptions
• Customers pay with a balance or bill they already manage

What to consider

• Operators approve the services they bill for, and their rules and revenue share vary
• Consumer-protection rules apply: clear pricing, clear consent and an easy way to cancel
• Each market and operator needs its own connection, unless you work through a provider that has them

DCB with Ruach

Ruach is a licensed telecom operator that provides direct carrier billing alongside messaging, voice and mobile value-added services. See the DCB page for how it works, and Mobile VAS for subscriptions, content and other services you can monetize.

Market coverage changes, so contact us to confirm which countries and operators are available for your use case.

Direct carrier billing questions

What is direct carrier billing?

A payment method that charges a purchase to the customer's mobile account, through their bill or airtime balance, without a card or bank account.

Is DCB the same as mobile money?

No. Mobile money moves money from a wallet. DCB charges the customer's mobile account with their operator.

What can customers buy with DCB?

Mainly digital goods and services such as apps, games, subscriptions and mobile content. Which services are allowed depends on the operator.

Which countries can Ruach offer DCB in?

Availability depends on the market and operator. Contact us to confirm current coverage for your use case.

Related

• Direct Carrier Billing: How DCB works with Ruach.
• Mobile VAS: Subscriptions, content and monetization services.
• SMS: Confirmations, receipts and subscription messages.
• Wholesale Voice and SMS: Carrier interconnect and routing.