Bango Powers BlackBerry App World Payments

Mobile web payments and analytics firm Bango has revealed that it is now processing payments for sales of BlackBerry apps in US Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Pounds Sterling and Euros. The announcement follows on from the rollout of additional operator billing capabilities in the US, Canada, the UK and mainland Europe. 

The BlackBerry app store, BlackBerry App World, is available to users of BlackBerry smartphones in multiple markets across N. America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Most recently, BlackBerry users on Vodafone UK and T-Mobile USA networks have started making payments for apps on their phone bills through Bango.

Bango provides the technology that enables these BlackBerry users to charge mobile app purchases to their operator phone bill. In addition, Bango is the merchant of record for operator-billed app sales, processing and settling revenue to each app developer selling through the app store.

The market for smartphones is expected to reach 1.7bn devices by 2014, according to research from Analysys Mason. And according to Chetan Sharma consulting, revenues from mobile app sales are  expected to grow at 62 per cent CAGR through to 2012, reaching over $17bn (£10.3bn).  Analyst estimates place the value of mobile apps by 2014 ranging from $32bn up to $50bn.

“The relationship with BlackBerry is an important one for us, and we are pleased with the progress made to date,” says Bango CEO, Ray Anderson. “The BlackBerry app store is available in over 100 countries and we remain fully committed to developing this significant market opportunity.”