Direct Carrier Billing Market Size

Global Direct Carrier Billing Market size was valued at USD 37.2 billion in 2023 and is poised to grow from USD 41.37 billion in 2024 to USD 96.71 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 11.2% during the forecast period (2025-2032).

The Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) Market is growing very rapidly, led by rising mobile penetration, digital consumption of content, and the need for convenient payment channels. Among the factors driving this market is the convenience with which DCB provides—the ability to charge payments to their mobile phone bill without the need for credit/debit cards or bank accounts. This has rendered DCB highly sought after in developing economies with limited banking frameworks. In addition, the popularity of OTT services, mobile gaming, and app-based services is increasing the volume of microtransactions, driving DCB adoption globally further.From a commercial perspective, telecom operators are leveraging DCB to reap new revenue streams and drive customer loyalty. Convergence with online merchants and content providers enables telcos to be part of the expanding digital economy. Increasing merchant appreciation of DCB as a means to increase transaction conversion rates, particularly by younger, mobile-first shoppers, is also fueling expansion. Regulatory encouragement in certain nations and advancements in mobile network technology (e.g., 5G) are also fueling enabling environments for DCB expansion, enabling faster, more secure, and more trustworthy transactions.On the restraint side, a number of challenges hamper market growth. Among major constraints are security and fraud problems associated with transactions since DCB systems continue to expose merchants to unauthorized charges if not handled in a very tight manner. Also, regulatory incoherence between nations, and high carrier costs (typically 30–50% per transaction), deter some online retailers from using DCB. Lack of transparency of billing procedures and absence of standardized structures limit such broad-based acceptance further. Yet, greater innovation, partnerships between digital services and telecoms operators, and rigorous consumer protection measures are likely to bridge such gaps and enhance market development.

How is Artificial Intelligence Reshaping the Direct Carrier Billing Platform Landscape?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) are changing the Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) landscape with faster, smarter, and more secure payments. AI improves user profiling, predictive billing, and fraud prevention, and IoT broadens DCB applicability from smartphones to IoT-enabled devices such as smart TVs, wearables, and in-car infotainment systems. This partnership facilitates frictionless microtransactions, optimizing user experience and convenience across digital ecosystems.One recent example of this trend is the partnership between Bango and NHN Cloud (2024) that incorporates AI-driven analytics to enhance carrier billing performance and churn prevention. Using AI to examine transaction history and customer behavior, the platform enables telecom operators and merchants to achieve maximum payment conversion rates and spot targeted users.