MediaKey, PasswordByPhone Partner to Offer Phone Billing Worldwide

GREENWICH, Conn. — U.S.-based Media Key has formed an alliance with Belize-based PasswordByPhone to provide phone billing options for media content protected by Microsoft's digital rights management system.

This alliance allows content owners to send DRM-protected media to users worldwide, using passwords issued by telephone. Fees are billed to the user's telephone.

"Our strategic partnership with MediaKey will allow webmasters to easily deploy their DRM solution in conjunction with our global billing solution," PasswordByPhone Business Development Manager Marc Jarrett told XBIZ. “Phone billing is very popular in Europe. In our experience, Europeans are reluctant to use their credit cards online, so phone billing for DRM-protected content is a valuable alternative for content providers offering premium and exclusive content. Phone billing can be used for both subscriptions and pay-per-view content and is well suited for both video and music content.”

The standard PasswordByPhone mechanism is the pay-per-view option. Multiple authentication modules are available with support for PPV sales as well as subscription-based services. Use of the DRM-PPV module is covered by a fee which is subtracted from the PasswordByPhone payouts.

The system can be used for promotional material, which can easily be tracked and changed from gratis to billable on the fly. Consumers' use of material can be limited to a number of replays. Content owners can offer dynamic payment options, so that users from a specific country or countries can be offered the pay-by-phone option.

“DRM clients are aggressively moving towards pay-per-view in order to sustain revenues from a fading subscription based market," MediaKey Chief Executive Officer Leon Standly said. "Obviously, our primary role is to provide rock-solid content protection, but in effect our palette of integrated billing options has proven to be very popular. We provide reliable billing integration modules to the world’s leading billing providers as an integral part of a MediaKey DRM solution. Our customers appreciate that they don’t have to switch billing providers to use a MediaKey DRM-solution.

“Phone billing also seems to be catching on in the U.S, so demand is expected to go up significantly as content providers are struggling with subscriber retention and [maintaining] credit card processing relationships,” Standly said.

For more information, visit MediaKey and PasswordByPhone.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Aylo Says It Will Comply With UK Age Assurance Requirements

Tech and media company Aylo, which owns various adult properties including Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube, plans to introduce age assurance methods in the United Kingdom that satisfy government rules under the Online Safety Act, the company has announced.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Approves Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday passed legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

Trial Set for Lawsuit by U Wisconsin Professor Fired Over Adult Content

A trial date of June 22, 2026, has been set for the civil lawsuit filed by veteran communications professor Joe Gow against the University of Wisconsin board of regents, which fired him for creating and appearing in adult content.

New UK Task Force Meets to Target Adult Content

The architect of an influential report that recommended banning adult content deemed “degrading, violent and misogynistic” has convened an “Independent Pornography Review task force” aimed at translating that report’s findings into action in the U.K.

11:11 Creations Launches Affiliate Program

11:11 Creations principal Alicia Silver has launched 11:11 Cash for creators and affiliates.

Pineapple Support, Pornhub to Host 'Self Love' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Pornhub are hosting a free online support group for performers to develop self-love.

Show More