The Isle of Wight Council is making parking more convenient by enabling a new pay-by-mobile program, the Council said on its website. Beginning Jan. 9, 2012, motorists will be able to use their mobile devices to pay for parking in all the Council's parking facilities.

According to the Council's website, PayByPhone, a provider of mobile payments to the parking sector, will run the service.

To use the service, motorists must first register their vehicles with PayByPhone, either by telephone, smartphone app or PayByPhone's website. After that, motorists simply call the PayByPhone number and follow the instructions posted on the payment machines at parking facilities.

The Council said the service will cost an additional 20 pence on top of the parking fee, but motorists can top up without returning to their vehicles. Additionally, once the user pays the fee, the payment immediately appears on the parking enforcement officers' hand-held computers.