SingTel mobile customers who use Android devices and who do not have a credit card will now be able to pay for apps on Google's Play store through their monthly mobile bill.

The telco on Monday became the first carrier in South-east Asia to partner Google to offer the payment service. It will be available to its post-paid and prepaid customers from Aug 15 onwards. The telco will also roll out the service to its Optus and Telkomsel customers, in Australia and Indonesia respectively, soon.

Currently, Android users in Singapore can pay for Play store apps only through a debit or credit card registered to the Google Play account. The new payment service will allow users the option to bill their SingTel account and consolidate app purchases into a single bill. Such a billing method is already available in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and the US.

Said SingTel's vice-president of mCommerce Gan Siok Hoon: "The introduction of direct carrier billing is part of our on-going efforts to provide our customers with the best and most seamless Android experience."