XL Axiata Applies Billing Operator Scheme for Google Play Store Purchases in 2013

Do you still remember my article from six months ago about how an operator should work together with billing operator for purchases of apps and games at Google Play Store? The step will be realised soon, at least in the next six months. XL Axiata, in between its launching of “XL Rumahnya Android” - XL the Home of Android, makes sure to work with Google to bring this scheme.

XL VP for Marketing Brand & Communication, Tommy Wattimena, revealed that this plan will be brought to life in 2013, although not mentioning any specific date. According to Tommy, this must be communicated with Google HQ. He hopes this scheme will run in the first half of 2013. With this scheme, XL customers will be able to purchase apps and games through its credit billing, whether through e-wallet (XL Tunai) or cut directly from its credit biling.

Certainly, this is a good sign for Android users in Indonesia whom been wanting an alternative payment method for online purchases. Even though the amount of credit card owners is increasing in the last year, it cannot be denied that the majority of Android users in Indonesia do not own a credit card.

Android users is increasing drastically during the year 2012. Tommy also mentioned, the number of Android user who subscribed to XL jumps to a whopping 250% this year alone.

Billing operator scheme for apps and games purchase is currently been done by Nokia, together with three leading GSM operators and between Research In Motion (with its BlackBerry product) with Indosat. This year, Google has done similar partnership with three leading operators in the United States - a country with high credit card penetration. This shows that consumer’s demand of this solution is pretty high.

The remaining issue is from the developers’ side; developers still cannot register their paid apps to Google Play Indonesia. All this time, the available apps are free apps with ads, which like it or not, tends to reduce the convenience while using an app.