Convergent communications platform and method for mobile and electronic commerce in a heterogeneous network environment

An apparatus that provides mobile commerce services via a plurality of networks, the apparatus comprising:

• a receiver in a roaming network that receives a request for a service from a service provider that does not provide the roaming network, the request including an identification number from a user device located on a roaming network, and the service requested, a service provider identification number related to the service provider and a cost of the requested service from the roaming network;
• a verifier that verifies that the identification number relates to a valid user account, that the user device is authorized to receive the service and that the valid user account has sufficient value to pay for the service;
• a sender that provides an authorization to the service provider, if the identification number relates to the valid user account, the user device is authorized to receive the service and the valid user account has sufficient value;
• and
• a charger that charges the valid user account for providing the service.

At least one non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program that when executed controls at least one processor to perform a method of providing mobile commerce services via a plurality of networks, the method comprising:

• receiving in a roaming network from a user device, an identification number and a request for a service;
• forwarding from the roaming network, to a home network, the identification number, the request for the service, and adding a service provider identification number that relates to a service provider and a cost of the service;
• verifying, by a convergent communication platform located on the home network, that the identification number relates to a valid user account, that the user device is authorized to receive the service and that the valid user account has sufficient value to pay for the service;
• providing an authorization to the service provider, if the identification number relates to the valid user account, the user device is authorized to receive the service and the valid user account has sufficient value;
• and
• charging the valid user account for providing the service.