Verizon partners with Obopay; Set to announce a mobile payment service

So far, the adoption of the mobile payment services have been slow. Both PayPal and Google Checkout rolled out their mobile versions, but not many people actually use them. Now, Verizon Wireless is teaming up with mobile payment specialist Obopay to roll-out its own mobile payment solution.

Obopay The main idea seems that such carrier-backed project could be successful, going further than similar services. Personally, I doubt that will be that case, as from what we know, it won’t be a hassle free process from the start. Two reasons emerge – first, the billing for the mobile payment service is separate from the carrier’s billing; and second, users will be required to download a separate application before sending any money. See the problem here?

In order for this to hit the mainstream consumer, the billing should be integrated and the application should come preinstalled on the device. Still, it doesn’t sound that far away, especially when we list to Irv Henderson, VP of Product Management for Obopay, who said that Obopay is hoping to ultimately integrate with the carrier’s billing. Now that would be something.

UPDATE: Check out the full release after the jump.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. and BASKING RIDGE, N.J., June 20 – Verizon Wireless customers will soon have another option when they shop other than just cash or credit — they will be able to pay using their wireless phones. Obopay, the first comprehensive mobile payment service in the U.S., today announced with Verizon Wireless, the leading wireless company with the most reliable voice and data network, they plan to make Obopay’s services available to Verizon Wireless customers in the coming weeks. Obopay is the first mobile payment offering for any major U.S. carrier, and it will allow Verizon Wireless customers to make purchases easily and directly from their mobile phones.

The Obopay service allows users to receive, send and spend money instantly and effortlessly via their mobile phones — whether shopping at their favorite store, going to the movies or dining with friends. Users can immediately access their mobile money using an Obopay prepaid MasterCard, which can be used at any ATM or retail outlet that accepts credit cards. With Obopay’s user-friendly features, users can also check their account balances, collect money owed from other mobile users, view transaction histories, and invite friends to use the service.

“After a series of industry-firsts, Obopay has once again shown unrivaled leadership by working toward making its services available on the Verizon Wireless network,” said Obopay chief executive officer, Carol L. Realini. “We look forward to working with Verizon Wireless to deliver our mobile payments services to its customers.”

Obopay will initially run on Verizon Wireless mobile phones as a BREW application that can be downloaded from the Verizon Wireless Get It Now online catalog. After downloading the application, users will be able to sign up for the service directly from their Verizon Wireless mobile devices or at http://www.obopay.com. Signing up friends will be easy — users simply send cash to prompt others to sign up or issue mobile alert invites. The service will also be made available as part of Verizon Wireless’ Mobile Web 2.0(SM) service. Download charges for Get It Now applications vary and airtime charges apply when browsing, downloading and using certain applications. Customers need a Get It Now-enabled handset and Verizon Wireless digital service to access the Get It Now virtual store.

[Via: The Wall Street Journal]

About The Author

Dusan Belic

Dusan has been using smartphones since their introduction and is now following the latest trends in the industry. The "convergence" is what he's most excited about, and writing about it is the next logical thing to do. He thinks that using a smartphone is what everyone who cares about their time should do. In addition to his interests in mobile phones, Dusan also loves to experiment with the latest web and mobile 2.0 services. The idea of accessing and managing your information from any device no matter where you are simply amazes him. Whether it's an online to-do list, note taking service or a video sharing social network, he's there to try it out. He admits though, he's still searching for the ultimate web-based organizational tool, which "sings" perfectly with the mobile PIM application. Dusan used to run SymbianWatch.com which later became part of IntoMobile. He lives in Serbia, South-East Europe, from where he edits the site on a daily basis.

MR I

Obopay Rocks while Paypal “Talks”

Does anyone else thing its sweet justice that these little guys from Obopay are simply mopping the floor with Paypal Mobile !

Obopay has in short order,

Launched with Verizon, Announced with Citi, Launched with AOL IM & raised money from nothing but tier one players like Qualcomm Ventures & Redpoint.

Paypal Mobile is arrogant, aggresive and over charges, their community with poor business practices. This game was PayPals game to loose, and sure enough, they are losing it.

I love it when good people with good ideas win by doing the right thing for their customers – shareholders & the market in general.

Rock on Obopay!

MR-I
Frostbyte

**** Ok lets make some money. *****

How to receive $$$$$ honestly legally and quickly with Obopay!

Do You Need Extra Income? Quickly and legally?

Do you have a Obopay Account? (If Not the set up takes less than 5 minutes)

“What is Obopay? ”

Its like Paypal only you use your cell phone number instead of your email address to send and receive money.

You could make huge money in one weeks time with more money coming in every week there after!

Let’s get started, just follow the instructions exactly as set out

below and then prepare yourself for a HUGE influx of cash over the

next 30 days! Here’s what you need to do. . .

REQUIREMENTS

#1) A cell phone number

#2) An OboBay Account

[THESE INSTRUCTIONS MUST BE FOLLOWED VERBATIM FOR THIS TO WORK]

Now follow the steps: 1-4

STEP #1 – Send a txt to the 1st number on the list asking them to send you an invitation for Obopay
STEP #2 – Use that invitation to sign up for Obopay. You will receive $5 automatically in your account
Step #3 – Sending Obopay money “It is an undeniable law of the universe that we must first give in order to receive.”

Now all you have to do is send $1.00 by way of Obopay to each of the

five phone numbers listed below. After setting up your free Obopay

account and confirming or verifying your account use the Send Money link on Obopay

to send $1.00 to each of the numbers on

the list with a note “Please add me to your list.”

Make sure the message says… *PLEASE ADD ME TO YOUR LIST*
(this keeps the program 100% legal.. so please don’t forget!)

#1) 443-564-2526
#2) 410-978-0077
#3) 443-315-3846
#4) 803-338-4644
#5) 757-328-0665

STEP #3 – Adding Your phone number

After you send your payments, it’s your turn to add your phone number

to the list!

Take the #5) phone number off the list that you see above, move the other

numbers down

one (4 becomes 5 & 3 becomes 4, etc) then put YOUR phone number (the

one used in your Obopay account) as #1) on the list.

**MAKE SURE THE NUMBER YOU SUPPLY IS EXACTLY AS IT APPEARS IN YOUR

OBOPAY ACCOUNT.**

STEP #5 – Copy Message to 200 Newsgroups, message boards,etc…… The

Pure Joy of Receiving Obopay Money!

You are now ready to post your copy of this message, to at least 200

newsgroups, message boards, etc.

The more you post, the more money you make – as well as everyone else
on the list! In this situation your

job is to let as many people see this letter as possible. So they will

make you and me rich!!!! You can even start posting the moment your

phone number is confirmed. Payments will still appear in your Obopay account

even while your number is being confirmed.

Note: Every time someone sends you a request for an invitation send them $1.00 to the number

they give you so that they can send $1 to all the people on the list….one of which is you anyway!!!