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Vi has collaborated with Google to enable its subscribers to download paid content from Google Play and pay for the same using their Vi Mobile Account. One can purchase any app or pay for any in-app features on the Google Play Store and charge the cost directly to ones postpaid account.

This is a new, secure way to buy digital content on one’s android phone without needing any debit/credit card however users will be charged a nominal convenience fees*.

Direct Operator Billing? What's that?

Direct Operator billing (or DOB) is a mobile payment option that lets you download and purchase digital content like games, movies, music, eBooks, apps, etc. from Google Play Store and charge it to your to your Postpaid bill

What is Google Play Store?

Google Play Store is an app store available on Android phones

What kinds of apps are available in Google Play Store?

There are literally thousands of apps on the Google Play Store! You can select and download the apps that you want. They are categorized under Games, Movies, Books, Apps, etc., and inside each category is a view of Top Paid and Top Free apps that are downloaded by other users.

Are all the apps available in Google Play Store chargeable?

Most of the apps, around 80%, are free to download, while around 20% of them are chargeable. Some of the apps are also on a Freemium basis. "Freemium" means that apps are free to download but will have in-app purchases. In-app purchases are credits/points that you need to buy while going through the application, mostly applicable in games.

What do you mean by apps and in-app purchases?

"Apps" or applications are software programs designed to run on smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. Mobile games, utility apps and location-based services, banking, order-tracking, ticket purchases are few examples of mobile apps. In-apps, meanwhile, are additional content or services that can be found and purchased within a mobile application. For example, Candy Crush is an App and the credits/points that you purchase while playing Candy Crush are in-app purchases.

I am a Prepaid user. When will I be charged if I choose Direct Operator Billing as my payment option?

This service is currently unavailable on Prepaid.

How about if I'm a Postpaid subscriber? When will I be charged if I purchase apps through DOB?

You'll be charged through your Postpaid bill. Your transaction will reflect on your billing statement depending on your bill cycle

How will the charges reflect on my Postpaid bill?

You'll see your transaction charges for your app purchases in your monthly bill under WAP downloads. Take note that the amount reflected on your bill is the total amount charged for your Google Play purchases.

Can I get all details of the purchases I made in Google Play?

You can check your email for purchase notifications or confirmations from Google. These notifications are sent to you real-time after your purchase

How can I purchase an app in Google Play Store via Direct Operator Billing?

Here's a step by step guide to help you:

Step 1: Go to Google Play Store and select the app you want to download from the list.
Step 2: Click the price button to be redirected to the page for App permissions. This portion includes storage requirements and other details. You need to "ACCEPT" the app permissions to proceed to the next page.
Step 3: After clicking the "ACCEPT" button, you'll see the name of the app that you want to purchase along with the price button. Click "Continue".
Step 4: That leads you to the Payment Options. Select "Vi" billing to pay your app via Direct Operator Billing.
Step 5: An account verification page will be displayed next. Once the account verification process is complete, you'll be directed to the registration process. Registration process happens only once during your first purchase. Enter your name, phone number, and billing address.
Step 6: Check & accept the ‘Terms of Service'. That takes you to the page where you see the app name along with the price details that you wants to purchase. The price is exclusive of convenience fees Click on the "BUY" button to proceed with the purchase.
Step 7: Enter your password and that's it! Complete your purchase and you are ready to download the desired content.

Will I be notified after making a purchase?

Yes, you'll get a notification via email from Google on the details of your purchase. You can also view the apps installed by going to the "My Apps" section inside the Google Play Store. This section is for active apps that are successfully installed. You'll also see the list of apps that you have installed under the "All" section. This section includes all the apps, including the deleted ones.

Do I need mobile internet to purchase apps or in-apps?

Yes, you need to have mobile internet to purchase apps or in-apps in Google Play. Data can be either Mobile Data Service provided by your mobile operator, or any Wi-Fi connection. Just be advised that for your first purchase via Direct Operator Billing, you need to use your Mobile Data Service. For your succeeding purchases, you can already choose to use a Wi-Fi connection.

I'm using a dual SIM. But upon inserting both SIMS, I became unable to make any purchase on the device. How can I make a purchase with dual SIM?

Dual SIMS have a master SIM and child (secondary) SIM. The master SIM is the one registered first in Google Play. The charging via Direct Carrier Billing is on the master SIM which should be an Vi SIM, too. That means if you entered both SIMs at the same time, the device will not be able to recognize which is the master SIM. You need to insert one SIM first and make an initial purchase. This will establish the connection with Google Play and your preferred Globe mobile SIM.

I'm an Vi user, but an unable to see Vi Billing as payment option.

You need to reset your Google Play account with the right local address details - fill in all fields, including country as India.

Can I use Mobile Data Service as well while on International roaming to purchase apps or in-apps?

Do I need to register before purchasing an app in the Google Play Store?

Yes, you need to register first to start purchasing apps from Google Play Store. You need to provide your personal info such as your mobile number, name, address, etc.

Is there a cap or limit in my Google Play Store purchases via Direct Operator Billing?

Yes, there is applicable to all subscribers of Vi. You are only allowed to spend INR 1000 worth of purchase in Google Play Store via DCB on every transaction. This is done for your benefit to avoid any misuse. This limit will be reviewed periodically and same may be increased at sole discretion of Vodafone Idea Ltd.

Can I cancel an app after purchase?

Yes, you can cancel the app within 2 hours from the time of purchase. You're entitled to a refund for canceled purchases, too. Just remember that after the 2 hours trial ended, the refund button will be disabled, and you'll not be able to cancel the app anymore.

Can you please explain to me the cancelation process?

You can go through the steps below for the cancelation process:

Step 1: You can view the installed app on your device. For example, you downloaded the Weather Live app.
Step 2: Look at the app's options: Open and Refund. Click "Refund" to cancel the app.
Step 3: After clicking the button, you'll be prompted with the confirmation of cancelation. The app will then be installed from your mobile device.

Will I be notified after canceling an app purchase?

Yep. If you canceled an app purchase within the 2 hours trial period, you'll receive an email notification from Google & SMS notification from Vi about the amount, cancelled app, and other details of refund.

How much time or days will it take for me to get the refund for the canceled the app?

It will take a maximum of 7 days to get your refund. In postpaid refund will be visible in next bill cycle.

I have purchased an app or an in app but it doesn't work. What do I do?

In case the app is not working, you can raise your concern directly to the app developer. The support details for the developer can be found in the app itself or in the email notification that you received during the time of purchase

Will I get a refund if the developer was unable to resolve the issue in the app?

The developer needs to notify Google for the refund, and then Google needs to inform us to give back the refund to you. Developer related refunds can be processed within 6 months from the time or date of purchase.

THIS DOCUMENT IS AN ELECTRONIC RECORD IN TERMS OF THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACT, 2000 AND RULES THERE UNDER AS APPLICABLE. THIS ELECTRONIC RECORD IS GENERATED BY A COMPUTER SYSTEM AND DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY PHYSICAL OR DIGITAL SIGNATURES.

FOR THE PURPOSES OF THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, WHEREVER THE CONTEXT SO REQUIRES “YOU” OR “YOUR” SHALL MEAN ANY NATURAL PERSON WHO IS A VALID AND ACTIVE Vi SUBSCRIBER.

THE FOLLOWING TERMS & CONDITIONS SHALL BE APPLICABLE TO ALL Vi POST PAID AND PREPAID SUBSCRIBERS AVAILING DIRECT OPERATOR BILLING SERVICE ON GOOGLE PLAY STORE. BY CLICKING “CONTINUE”, “SUBMIT” OR SIMILAR BUTTONS, OR BY CONTINUING TO AVAIL THE SERVICE, YOU AGREE TO BE LEGALLY BOUND BY THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS (“Terms and Conditions”). IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, PLEASE DO NOT AVAIL THE SERVICE.

Terms and Conditions for Direct Carrier Billing Service

1. Vodafone India Limited (“VIL”) may offer its eligible subscribers the ability to pay for digital content purchased through Google Play through his/her Vi postpaid account (Hereinafter referred to as “Direct Carrier Billing Service” or “DCB service”).

Eligibility

You will need an Android device with an active Vi post-paid SIM in order to be able to purchase digital content through Google Play Store app using DOB service. Vi shall in its sole discretion decide whether or not to give you access to DOB service.

Payment and spend limits

4. VIL will charge a convenience fee which will be over and above the listed product price on Google Play.
5. VIL will apply a default spend limit of INR 1000 per transaction for the purchase of digital content through Google Play using DCB service. Should you wish to purchase digital content through Google Play at an amount greater than INR 1000 per transaction, you will need to use another payment method.
6. You agree and acknowledge that there may be some cases where the charges are debited from your account before the digital content is delivered to your device and you do not have any objection for the same.
7. VIL will take reasonable steps to make DCB service available to you at all times, but it does not give any guarantee that it will provide DCB service to subscriber in a timely, continuous or fault-free manner.
8. You can inform VIL about any errors or disputed charges billed to you using DCB service. VIL may if it deems fit, but is not obliged to, agree not to recover such charges from you. The decision of VIL in ascertaining the disputed charges shall be final and binding on you in such cases.

Digital content

9. Vi is not and shall not be responsible or liable in any circumstances for any digital content or apps bought by Subscriber through Google Play Store app using DOB service. Vi does not promise or warrant the accuracy, suitability or quality, of such digital content or apps from third party providers. Vi advises subscriber to exercise own discretion in availing such content or apps including but not limited to use of digital content or apps permissible as per applicable Indian laws and regulations and use of apps as per applicable age-group.
10. Subscriber’s use of any digital content purchased using DCB service is covered by any terms imposed and communicated to him/her by the merchant of record for that application in Google Play or the developer of that application.
11. VIL will take reasonable steps to deliver digital content bought by subscriber through Google Play using DCB service. However, VIL does not promise that it will deliver digital content in a timely, continuous or fault-free manner.

Complaints and refunds

12. If subscriber has any complaints about any digital content, or want to apply for a refund, he/she shall initiate it through Google Play. Google Play's refund policy will be applicable for refunds. The policy can be found at https://support.google.com/googleplay/. VIL will not be responsible in any event to the Subscriber for any kind of refund with respect to the digital content bought from Google Play.

General

13. Subscriber must acknowledge and agree that VIL may cease to provide DCB service at any time without any notice to the Subscriber if its agreements with Google or with any merchant of record for Google Play end or for any other reason whatsoever. However, VIL may try to provide its Subscribers as much notice as possible before it ceases providing DCB service.
14. Subscriber must use his / her device, our services and our networks in accordance with our Acceptable Use Policy.
15. These Terms and Conditions are subject to Indian law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts in Mumbai.
16. VIL reserves the right to change, suspend, remove, or disable access to the Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) at any time within the realm of TRAI Guidelines and Directives as applicable. Further, it is notified that DCB Terms and Conditions shall be concomitantly read with terms and conditions of the Subscriber Application Form (CAF).

17. Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that in case the Subscriber ceases to remain an active Vi subscriber (i.e. does MNP port out or terminates Vi mobile connection or does not have sufficient balance), subscriber will not be able to avail DOB services (whether first time purchase or subsequent purchases of digital content available on Google Play Store app).

18. Applicable data usage charge as per subscriber’s tariff plan shall apply for use of Google Play Store app and apps purchased therein.

19.VIL advises subscriber to exercise own discretion in availing such content or apps including but not limited to use of digital content or apps permissible as per applicable Indian laws and regulations and use of apps as per applicable age-group.

20. Per transaction limit is subject to revision at sole discretion of VIL.

20. If Vi modify these Terms and Conditions, the modified terms will be posted on www.myvi.in. You are therefore advised to check this Website regularly for any update(s) or amendment(s) made to these Terms and Conditions and in the event the modified or amended Terms and Conditions are not acceptable to You, You should discontinue availing the Service. Your continued availing the Service will constitute Your acceptance of the latest revised Terms and Conditions.

21. You agree that this Service is being made available purely on a “best endeavour” basis and subject to acceptance of these Terms and Conditions. Vi makes no representation or warranty of any kind whatsoever, whether express or implied, including, but not limited to, meeting of Your requirements or aspirations, timeliness, security of the Service and/or any delay or failure to avail the Service including due to technical or network problems. To the extent you choose to avail the Service, you do so at your own initiative and You shall remain responsible for compliance with the Terms and Conditions herein, any applicable laws, including but not limited to applicable local laws.