Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting a purchase of content over a public communication network from a content provider (404) to a customer (400) using an access operator for communication. The content provider receives a purchase request for content from the customer over the public network (102). The requested purchase is validated by a transaction router (406) which identifies the access operator and checks whether the operator approves the requested purchase. The content provider then delivers content to the customer if the purchase has been validated. Finally, the customer can be charged for the purchase by the access operator. The transaction router acts as a common payment mediator between plural operators and content providers, such that only one trusted relationship needs to be established with the transaction router for each operator and each content provider, respectively.