Philippines mobile operator Smart Communications Inc. is now offering its subscribers the ability to pay for Google Play purchases via their mobile phone bill thanks to a partnership with net mobile AG, according to a press release.

Smart Communications serves about 55 percent of the the mobile market in the Philippines. 

"With direct carrier billing for Google Play now available to Smart subscribers, we are allowing our users to elevate their Android experience by downloading paid apps and making in-app purchases even without a credit card," said Mellissa Limcaoco, innovation and product development group head at Smart. "This is another way we are allowing our subscribers to ‘live more’ through the breakthrough digital innovations we are introducing to the market."