On the web:

• Monitise Gets Mobile Payment License in Nigeria - Banking Business Review
• Time Running Out for Third-Party Payment Firms To Be Licensed in China - China.org.cn

On the wires:

• Mobile Accord and Payfone Team Up to Expand Global Mobile Donations
• ElectraCard Services powers MasterCard debit and prepaid cards in Zimbabwe for FBC Bank
• Aryty.com Expands Free Mobile Top-Up Trial Program to 19 Carriers in 11 Countries
• TrustCommerce Welcomes JayStar Group as New Partner

Payfone has announced that Fortumo has selected it to power the direct billing option for its in-app purchasing SDK.

This direct billing mobile payment method offers better reliability and higher security as well as better payouts for developers. Through the partnership, Fortumo's clients will be able to provide consumers with the ability to make safe and secure mobile payments in real-time from any device, such as PC, smartphone, tablet or Wi-Fi.

T-Mobile USA has announced Direct Carrier Billing, "a nationwide purchasing program to provide customers the convenience of securely purchasing digital content and services from their web-enabled device. With Direct Carrier Billing, T-Mobile customers can conveniently charge online purchases of digital games, gaming and social networking credits, music, videos and other digital content offerings directly to their existing T-Mobile account right from the Web browser of their connected device – whether a PC, smartphone, netbook or tablet."

T-Mobile Direct Carrier Billing is initially available via BilltoMobile, Boku, OpenMarket, Payfone, and Zong.

Verizon Wireless and Payfone have announced the "companies are working together to bring a new mobile payment system to Verizon Wireless customers. When available, the service will allow Verizon Wireless customers to make online purchases from their smartphones, tablets and PCs using numerous payment methods, including charging purchases to their monthly wireless statements or using traditional payment methods through financial institution partners."

American Express and Payfone have announced a strategic alliance to create a new global mobile checkout service.

“This alliance brings together Serve’s unified online, mobile and real-world functionality with Payfone’s advanced mobile authorization and payment services to deliver a seamless payment solution,” said Dan Schulman, Group President, Enterprise Growth, American Express. “The alliance is an important next step for the international roll out of Serve. We look forward to working with Payfone as we evolve the Serve platform to provide the most advanced payment solutions for buyers and sellers, while setting new standards in security, simplicity and reliability.”

In related news, Payfone announced a $19 million round of funding from American Express, Verizon Investments, and Rogers Ventures.

Payfone has announced the closing of its $11M Series B financing round with investments by Opus Capital, BlackBerry Partners Fund, and RRE Ventures. Bob Borchers of Opus Capital and Kevin Talbot of BlackBerry Partners Fund will join Payfone’s Board of Directors.

Payfone has built the world’s first and only mobile payments platform that leverages the capabilities of existing inter-operator networks. Designed from the backbone of the mobile operator network, Payfone uses signaling and global operator standards to deliver advanced payment and billing capabilities that meet the needs of today’s mobile ecosystem.

The Wall Street Journal has the backstory on Bob Borchers role. Essentially, this is his first investment since leaving his position at Apple as Sr. Director of Worldwide Product Marketing for the iPhone. READ MORE »

Over on PaymentsViews.com, Glenbrook's Carol Coye Benson takes a look at mobile payments provider Payfone.

"Instead of using SMSs and short codes like ringtone merchants and existing bill-to-carrier payment providers, Payfone operates within the carrier signaling network, a global network that allows carriers to communicate and exchange information between each other." Read the full article here.