To this point, direct carrier billing, where consumers place their digital purchases on their monthly phone bill, has been a tool for buying mobile content and providing app developers a convenient, seamless payment experience for consumers using smartphones and tablets. But it's slowly beginning to move beyond the mobile space and become a practical option for other use cases. Just last month, carrier biller Boku began providing payment processing for Smart TV users, letting those consumers bill entertainment received through their televisions to their mobile bills.

Now Boku has announced a new deal with Sony Network Entertainment and Sony Computer Entertainment that will let PlayStation users in the U.K. top up their account wallet to obtain content from the PlayStationStore and across the Sony Entertainment Network using their mobile phone accounts to pay.

"We are always looking at new ways to give our customers more choice in terms of content, accessibility and payment methods, and are pleased to be able to offer the option of mobile operator billing, which are becoming more and more popular," said Gordon Thornton, vice president for Sony Network Entertainment Europe.

The new deal will include the purchase of downloadable games, add-ons, themes, movies and TV shows, and subscriptions to the Music Unlimited service, the companies said. Subscribers to all major U.K. mobile network operators will be able to access the payment method.

To use the new service, subscribers select "mobile" as their payment method when buying content and then enter their mobile numbers. A response to a text message sent to their device confirms the purchase. The cost is then put on their phone bill or debited from their prepaid account.

"More and more leading brands are recognizing the power of charge-to-mobile as a payment mechanism for digital content, not only on smartphones but across a range of consumer electronic devices," said Wayne Thorsen, vice president of global partnerships at Telefónica Digital. "It is a fast, easy and safe alternative to credit or debit cards."

Telefonica will be offering the service in the U.K. through its O2 brand. Though the deal with Sony is only for the U.K. market, it will be rolled out to other markets over time. 

Read more about direct carrier billing.