The Social networking site Badoo is now allowing users in the United Kingdom to pay for premium services using their mobile phones. Powered by Ericsson and its Internet Payment Exchange (IPX) mobile payment service, Badoo allows users to purchase the mentioned premium features like “Super Powers,” gifts and featured profiles with credit and debit cards, PayPal and now SMS.
Those unfamiliar should know that Badoo.com is a location-based service for people looking to chat, flirt and meet other people nearby. Available in over 180 countries, it has more than 114 million registered users and is growing rapidly, currently holding the 2nd largest Facebook Application spot behind CityVille.
Commenting on the news, Badoo’s COO Bart Swanson said: “Providing consumers with a mobile payment method for premium services is vital for the success of any freemium based business, by making purchases simple with SMS, we expect more of our members to be able to use and appreciate premium services. Transactions will be charged to their mobile phone bill in the case of postpaid clients, or deducted from their credit in the case of prepaid.”
Mr. Swanson also noted that Badoo is looking to quickly launch the mobile payment service in other markets.