MediaKey, PasswordByPhone Partner to Offer Phone Billing Worldwide

GREENWICH, Conn. — U.S.-based Media Key has formed an alliance with Belize-based PasswordByPhone to provide phone billing options for media content protected by Microsoft's digital rights management system.

This alliance allows content owners to send DRM-protected media to users worldwide, using passwords issued by telephone. Fees are billed to the user's telephone.

"Our strategic partnership with MediaKey will allow webmasters to easily deploy their DRM solution in conjunction with our global billing solution," PasswordByPhone Business Development Manager Marc Jarrett told XBIZ. “Phone billing is very popular in Europe. In our experience, Europeans are reluctant to use their credit cards online, so phone billing for DRM-protected content is a valuable alternative for content providers offering premium and exclusive content. Phone billing can be used for both subscriptions and pay-per-view content and is well suited for both video and music content.”

The standard PasswordByPhone mechanism is the pay-per-view option. Multiple authentication modules are available with support for PPV sales as well as subscription-based services. Use of the DRM-PPV module is covered by a fee which is subtracted from the PasswordByPhone payouts.

The system can be used for promotional material, which can easily be tracked and changed from gratis to billable on the fly. Consumers' use of material can be limited to a number of replays. Content owners can offer dynamic payment options, so that users from a specific country or countries can be offered the pay-by-phone option.

“DRM clients are aggressively moving towards pay-per-view in order to sustain revenues from a fading subscription based market," MediaKey Chief Executive Officer Leon Standly said. "Obviously, our primary role is to provide rock-solid content protection, but in effect our palette of integrated billing options has proven to be very popular. We provide reliable billing integration modules to the world’s leading billing providers as an integral part of a MediaKey DRM solution. Our customers appreciate that they don’t have to switch billing providers to use a MediaKey DRM-solution.

“Phone billing also seems to be catching on in the U.S, so demand is expected to go up significantly as content providers are struggling with subscriber retention and [maintaining] credit card processing relationships,” Standly said.

For more information, visit MediaKey and PasswordByPhone.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

TrustyFans Introduces New Blog

Creator directory TrustyFans has introduced an official blog to its site, titled "From Hidden to Hype."

JustFor.fans' Dominic Ford Featured in Wired Magazine

JustFor.fans Founder and CEO Dominic Ford is featured in a new article in Wired Magazine, titled "The Internet Revolutionized Porn. Age Verification Could Upend Everything."

Dr. Charlotte Gaydos Joins ProDx Health Advisory Board

Dr. Charlotte Gaydos has joined the Advisory Board of ProDx Health.

Aylo Fined $5 Million as FTC, Utah Settle Safety Practices Complaint

The Federal Trade Commission and the state of Utah on Wednesday settled a complaint against Aylo, requiring the company to pay a $5 million penalty and implement measures to prevent illegal content from appearing on its sites.

New AI Companion Platform 'Pornstar.love' Launches

Pornstar.love, a new AI companion platform, has officially launched.

Pineapple Support, Stripchat to Host 'Navigating Thoughts of Suicide' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Stripchat are hosting a free online support group to help performers deal with suicidal ideation.

Plaiir Names Cade Maddox as Lead of Creator Relations

Networking platform Plaiir has appointed Cade Maddox as its new lead of creator relations.

Go.cam Launches 'One-Line Integration' Verification Solution

Go.cam has introduced a one-line code integration for age verification.

XBIZ Amsterdam to Debut 'Behind the Lens' Screening Series

XBIZ is pleased to announce the debut of “Behind the Lens,” a new screening series presenting discussions with noted directors, taking place at the upcoming annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam.

'White Rabbit' Party Headed for XBIZ Amsterdam

XBIZ is pleased to announce the White Rabbit Party, an XBIZ Amsterdam special event set to take place Wednesday, Sept. 3.

Show More