Abstract: An efficient, secure method for processing an electronic transaction among a user (101), a billing service provider (112), a merchant (123) and a transaction facilitator (132) is provided using a transaction facilitator server (131) accessible via a data network (50). Billing service providers (112) include, for example, internet service providers, telephone service providers, banks, or credit card companies. Product information and a merchant identifier are received from a merchant server (122) in response to a user's purchase request. The user (101) is connected to the billing service provider server (111) in order to authorize the transaction based on the user's account information. The transaction facilitator server (131) and merchant server (122) receive an authorization response from the billing service provider server (111) indicating whether the transaction has been approved or denied.

Abstract: Electronic commerce system and method allowing a customer having an account with a first payment service provider based in a home network to purchase goods and services from a merchant having an account with a second payment service provider based in a remote network, including: first payment service provider with which a customer desiring a transaction with a merchant has an account; a home network on which first payment service provider is based; second payment service provider with which the merchant has an account; a remote network on which second payment service provider is based, by means of which the merchant communicates with the second payment service provider; at least two payment gateways, of which first payment gateway is associated with first payment service provider and second payment gateway is associated with second payment service provider, and a general network by means of which the payment gateways communicate.