Boku, a carrier billing-based mobile payments provider, today announced its partnership with 3 Hong Kong, the mobile division of Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings Ltd., a leading mobile operator in Hong Kong, according to a press release. 

Through the new partnership with Boku, 3 Hong Kong subscribers will be able to make purchases on their mobile devices using their mobile phone numbers. At checkout, users choose an item they want to purchase, enter their mobile numbers and confirm the purchase via text. Their items are then billed to their mobile account. 

"We are happy to extend our direct carrier billing service with Boku," Jennifer Tan, COO of HTHKH, said in a statement. "With in-app purchases charged to a customer’s mobile bill, this eliminates the need to pass on credit [card] information and so offers customers peace of mind."

Boku cited Nielsen research findings that smartphone penetration in Hong Kong now stands at over 87 percent, with more than 31 percent of the population owning more than one phone. Mobile commerce also has significant and growing traction in the market. The Nielsen study of the Hong Kong mobile users also found that 28 percent of all mobile users participated in some form of m-commerce in the previous month. 

"3 Hong Kong is one of the respected names in the region and a tremendous partner for Boku,” said Kurt Davis, general manager of Boku in Asia. “The mobile consumer market in Hong Kong spends a lot on value-added services and by working together, we are capitalizing on new opportunities for carrier billing."