Mobility payments and the agent model: A conversation with Clemens Leitner and Ward Hagenaar, featured on the PaymentGenes Podcast
Carrier Billing (CB) has long been associated with digital content, such as mobile games, ringtones, and video streaming subscriptions. But as payment innovation accelerates, its application is rapidly expanding into sectors that depend on ultra-fast, frictionless transactions, most notably, mobility services.
In an episode of the PaymentGenes Podcast, Clemens Leitner, CEO of DIMOCO , and Ward Hagenaar, Head of Consultancy, discussed how carrier billing is evolving into a strategic alternative payment method for services like EV charging, bike rentals, and parking. The conversation highlights how DIMOCO’s agent model, built on a robust regulatory framework, is enabling this transition in real-world use cases across Europe.
Carrier Billing, reimagined for physical services
Carrier billing allows users to make payments by charging a purchase to their mobile phone bill, no credit card, no separate app, no account login. This streamlined model is especially well-suited to time-sensitive or on-the-go scenarios, such as paying for a charging session or a parking space.
Traditionally, mobile network operators (MNOs) have offered CB only for digital goods and services, often due to regulatory restrictions that treat physical goods payments as more complex and higher risk. That’s where DIMOCO’s regulatory infrastructure comes in.
“We developed an agent model that allows telcos to offer carrier billing for physical services without becoming financial institutions themselves,.
This agent model, fully licensed under Austria’s Financial Market Authority (FMA), enables telcos to act as commercial agents while DIMOCO assumes the role of the licensed payment institution. This structure removes compliance burdens from the operators while maintaining the speed and accessibility of CB.
Why Carrier Billing works in mobility
The mobility sector is one of the most compelling use cases for CB’s next phase. Whether a user needs to unlock a shared bike, pay for street-level parking, or initiate an EV charging session, the process must be intuitive, immediate, and mobile-first.
“We’re seeing strong uptake in Germany and Austria, where up to 20% of mobility-related payments in some ecosystems now happen via carrier billing,” says Clemens Leitner. “Consumers prefer it when the alternative is downloading a new app or entering card details at a kiosk.”
CB also addresses inclusion: it enables transactions from users who may not have access to credit cards or prefer not to use them online.
Beyond the technology: supporting Telcos and merchants
DIMOCO’s role is unique in that it serves both sides of the transaction. As a PSP (Payment Service Provider) and licensed acquirer, DIMOCO works directly with MNOs to integrate billing infrastructure while also consulting with merchants and mobility providers to enable use-case deployment.
“We’re not just offering a plug-and-play API. We’re helping telcos and merchants navigate regulation, user experience, and cross-border compliance.”
That includes supporting payment reconciliation, KYC requirements, chargeback management, and local tax rules. Because of this end-to-end support, new partners can integrate carrier billing more quickly and at lower risk than developing solutions in-house.
A complement, not a replacement
Importantly, DIMOCO does not frame carrier billing as a replacement for cards or wallets. Instead, it is positioned as a complementary payment option—ideal for markets and scenarios where traditional methods fall short.
“We’re offering an alternative that works especially well where user expectations center on simplicity,” says Clemens. “The payment becomes a background process, and that’s exactly what mobility services need.”
The goal is to create flexibility in checkout, so consumers can choose the method that fits their context, without added friction.
Looking ahead
As urban mobility infrastructure continues to modernize, and demand for frictionless payments grows, CB is gaining traction as a viable and scalable solution. With live implementations already in place and regulatory approval paving the way, DIMOCO is positioned to help both telcos and merchants unlock new payment channels through one of the most familiar tools in any consumer’s pocket: the mobile phone.
