MACH is to become the first vendor to deliver direct operator billing to OTT provider Skype.

From October, Skype customers will be able to purchase Skype Credit – the form of payment required to make calls to mobiles and landlines – thanks to the Luxembourg-based vendor’s direct operator billing solution.

Users will initially be able to make browser-based purchases from desktop PCs and mobiles, and get charged to their mobile phone bill or pre-paid account.

In-app functionality will follow “in the future”, according to MACH.

“We expect ease of payment to attract new users, while existing users will become more profitable customers as they increase their spend with us,” predicted Neil Ward, general manager of business operations at Skype.

MACH CEO Morten Brøgger said direct operator billing would provide “a great boon” for operators as well.

“[It allows operators] to enter the e-commerce value chain and start to win market share from the major credit card brands and companies, which have traditionally dominated the space.

“Being able to play in this value chain will be critical to raising operator revenues in the future and it’s fantastic to have a high-profile merchant like Skype on board.”