Zong to Bring Mobile Payments Service to AT&T Customers

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zong today announced an agreement with AT&T* to trial a new mobile payments program. The program will give AT&T customers the ability to easily make online purchases directly from their wireless handset.

“Our strengths, combined with AT&T’s, can help make mobile payments more efficient, affordable, robust and more economical for customers and merchants alike.”

Zong, the leading global mobile payments platform, enables direct carrier billing for purchases through a frictionless process; Zong first verifies the wireless phone number and account in a matter of seconds, and then clears the payment on the customer’s existing wireless service account. Zong has relationships with over 200 carriers worldwide in nearly 50 countries, and by collaborating with a leading US carrier, widens its lead in the mobile payments space — a space expected to reach over $200 billion by 2012 (Juniper Research, Mobile Payments for Digital & Physical Goods: Players, Markets & Opportunities, 2010-2014).

"This agreement is a great step in bringing more convenience with a new online purchase experience to AT&T’s wireless customers,” said Zong CEO David Marcus. “Our strengths, combined with AT&T’s, can help make mobile payments more efficient, affordable, robust and more economical for customers and merchants alike."

Zong leads the mobile payments space in direct carrier relationships, connecting directly with some of the world’s largest mobile operator groups, including T-Mobile, Vodafone, Orange, O2, and many more worldwide. Over 60% of Zong’s payment volume is processed through these direct carrier integrations. Zong is the mobile payments provider for Facebook Credits and many other leading social gaming and networking platforms.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About Zong

Zong is the leading mobile payments platform for sellers of digital goods and services. Its frictionless payment experience converts shoppers into buyers at rates up to 10 times greater than traditional payment methods. Zong leverages direct connections with mobile network operators around the world to provide a secure payment solution with unrivaled connectivity and service quality. Zong is the mobile payment provider for Facebook Credits and also works with hundreds of leading destination sites, such as Gaia Online, IMVU and Playdom. Reaching over 2 billion mobile users, Zong provides localized payment capabilities in close to 50 countries in 21 languages. Zong is the only mobile payments platform that combines the high conversion rates of carrier billing with the low costs and flexibility of payment card networks. Zong is based in Menlo Park with offices in Paris and Geneva, and is backed by Matrix Partners, Advent Venture Partners and Newbury Ventures. For more information, please visit www.zong.com.