Fortumo, an Estonia-based digital enablement firm, has launched PayRead, a digital media platform that allows publishers to create a frictionless payment process using a mobile SIM card, eliminating the need to use paywalls, individual article signups and other time consuming processes.

The PayRead platform is integrated into the networks of 350 mobile operators and allows users to obtain a PIN code from their provider in order to register and pay for the service, according to a press release. Digital publishers often require long registration processes to access paywalls or pay for individual bundles. 

PayRead operates in more than 100 countries, with a reach of more than 3.1 billion consumers, and works with a wide variety of digital publishers, including Schibsted, Magster and Readwhere.

"We are indeed in discussions with a number of other digital publishers on implementing the solution, but too early to give any names publicly," said company spokesman Mattias Liivak in an email.

He said publishers can sell content via daily, weekly or monthly subscription, on an per article basis or using metered access, for example a 10- article bundle for one price.

PayRead also makes its messaging API available to publishers for the purpose of messaging customers as well as its reporting API to integrate transaction data.