Australian number-one operator Telstra began supporting operator billing for Google Play, enabling customers to purchase apps and other content via their mobile account.

The service is said to mark the first time that Australians can pay for content from the store via their phone bill, providing a “convenient alternative to using a credit card”.

“Aussies love their mobile apps. Telstra research shows that on average we download 36 apps each year and one in five of those are paid for”, said Freddie Jansen Van Nieuwenhuizen, director of consumer applications and services for the operator.

To mark the introduction, Telstra and Google are offering customers a range of apps at half price.