What DCB is

Direct carrier billing (DCB) lets consumers pay for digital purchases using their mobile phone account – the charge is simply added to their monthly phone bill or deducted from their prepaid balance. No card details, no bank account, no registration. For digital merchants, that makes carrier billing one of the most practical ways to reach mobile-first consumers, particularly in emerging markets and underbanked segments.

Why it converts, and why Boku

Because payment happens through a billing relationship consumers already have and trust, carrier billing delivers a familiar, low-friction checkout – a single tap or phone number entry – that converts strongly for digital content and supports recurring billing for subscriptions. Boku operates the world’s largest carrier billing network, with direct connections to 57 carriers worldwide – including Vodafone, NTT DOCOMO, and O2 – serving billions of mobile subscribers.

Consumer experience

How it works for your customers

Step 1

Selection

The customer selects carrier billing (DCB) as their payment method at checkout.

Step 2

Phone number entry

The customer enters their mobile phone number to identify the linked carrier account.

Step 3

OTP verification

A one-time password is sent via SMS to the customer. The customer enters the code on the checkout page to confirm the transaction and verify the possession of the device.

Step 4

Confirmation

The payment is approved and charged to the customer’s mobile phone bill or deducted from their prepaid credit. Both customer and merchant receive instant confirmation.

Selection
Selection

Step 1

Selection

The customer selects carrier billing (DCB) as their payment method at checkout.

Phone number entry

Step 2

Phone number entry

The customer enters their mobile phone number to identify the linked carrier account.

OTP verification

Step 3

OTP verification

A one-time password is sent via SMS to the customer. The customer enters the code on the checkout page to confirm the transaction and verify the possession of the device.

Confirmation

Step 4

Confirmation

The payment is approved and charged to the customer’s mobile phone bill or deducted from their prepaid credit. Both customer and merchant receive instant confirmation.

Other LPMs in this region

Boost conversion by offering the local ways to pay that your customers know and trust. From e-wallets to real-time bank transfers, Boku handles the complexity of local markets so you can scale faster.

More methods coming soon

We’re constantly expanding our network to power your global growth.

Simplifying the complex

A unified platform for global expansion

Connect to our platform with a single, modern API. We’ve abstracted the complexity of 70+ local regulatory systems and hundreds of payment protocols into a set of simple, powerful primitives.

One API. 200+ payment methods

Connect to 200+ local payment methods through one REST API. Standardized payment method flows make it easy to add new markets and methods without rebuilding your core integration.

Read more

Your next growth channel is already built. You just need access.

Tell us where you want to grow. We'll show you which partners get you there fastest.
boku
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.