Social networking site Badoo is offering premium services that UK users can pay for using their mobiles, with the payment solution provided by Ericsson and its IPX mobile payment service.

Badoo.com is a location-based service for people looking to chat, flirt and meet other people nearby. The social network uses a freemium business model, where users can register, create a profile and upload unlimited images at no cost. Premium features such as ‘Super Powers’, gifts and featured profiles can be paid for via a range of methods including credit/debit card, PayPal or SMS.
Badoo is available in over 180 countries, has more than 114m registered users and is growing rapidly. It is currently the second largest Facebook application, behind CityVille.

“Providing consumers with a mobile payment method for premium services is vital for the success of any freemium-based business,” says Badoo COO, Bart Swanson. “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. IPX’s operator payment services in many countries are also likely to support Badoo as we look to quickly launch the service in other markets.”

Ericsson Internet Payment Exchange (IPX) is a global mobile commerce and connectivity enabler. As a carrier/operator payment broker, Ericsson provides delivery and charging, using direct billing, premium SMS, web and online mobile payment. Customers include more than 1,000 successful multinationals reaching consumers with high disposable incomes across the globe.