US Mobile Payments Players - Comparisons

PRELIMINARY - Originally Posted: April 5, 2006 - Updated April 8, 2006

Company	Launch Date	Payment Initiation Methods	How Payment Authorized	Account Funding Methods	Withdrawal Methods	Consumer Distribution	Usage Fees	Incentives, Rewards
TextPayMe	Dec 2005	SMS-based	Callback, enter PIN via DTMF	ACH Bank Card	Wire to DDA Mailed Check	Direct via web	Free for now	$5 sign-up bounty Xbox prize
PayPal Mobile	Mar 2006	SMS-based plus IVR option Text to Buy feature using SMS Shortcodes [Debit Card]	Callback, enter PIN via DTMF	PayPal account (ACH, Bank Cards, funds in PayPal account)	PayPal Withdrawal Options	100 MM enrolled PayPal users Direct via web	Same as PayPal (receiver pays above $500 monthly threshold)	None
Obopay	Apr 2006	Application on handset SMS fallback Debit Card	PIN used with handset application [For SMS?]	ACH Bank Card [Cash]	ACH Use adjunct MasterCard to shop, withdraw cash at ATMs	Direct via web Mobile Operators	Sender pays 10¢	$10 sign-up bounty