China-based Mobike, which describes itself as a smart bike sharing company, announced it is now using Fortumo's messaging platform to authenticate users and share service-related messages through SMS in more than 15 countries, according to a press release.

Mobike said it can reach both locals and tourists using Fortumo's platform as it supports mobile users of more than 350 telcos in over 100 countries.

"People never leave their home without a smartphone which gives merchants the opportunity to use telco infrastructure for customer authentication, payments and communication," Andrea Boetti, vice president of global business development at Fortumo, said in the press release. "At the same time, connecting with hundreds of telcos across the world is not scalable. Fortumo resolves the challenge by enabling scale through one integration."

Fortumo said its messaging platform gives merchants a direct line of communication through SMS with their customers for payment notifications and two-factor user authentication.