PhonePe Launches UPI Payments for Feature Phones via 123Pay PhonePe has introduced a Unified Payments Interface (UPI) application tailored for feature phones, enabling users to conduct transactions without relying on mobile data. The SMS-based service, branded as PhonePe UPI 123Pay, is pre-installed on select devices from manufacturers such as Nokia, HMD, Lava, and itel. This initiative aims to expand access to digital payments for India’s extensive base of feature-phone users, who have historically been excluded from modern mobile banking services. The UPI 123Pay platform, which has been in development for four years, leverages an SMS-driven architecture to facilitate seamless financial transactions. Unlike traditional UPI apps that require internet connectivity, this version operates entirely through text messages, eliminating the need for mobile data. Users can send money to mobile numbers or UPI IDs directly through the service, making it accessible even in areas with limited or no internet infrastructure. PhonePe emphasized that the move aligns with the growing adoption of UPI in India, where the payment system has recorded unprecedented transaction volumes. As of the latest data, UPI transactions have surpassed billions of transactions monthly, driven by government initiatives to promote digital financial inclusion. By targeting feature-phone users, PhonePe seeks to bridge the gap between traditional banking and digital payment ecosystems, ensuring that even those without smartphones can participate in the digital economy. The pre-installed nature of the UPI 123Pay app on devices from Nokia, HMD, Lava, and itel underscores PhonePe’s strategic partnership with hardware manufacturers to integrate digital payment capabilities at the point of device production.#phonepe #nokia #itel #hmd #lava
PhonePe Launches UPI 123Pay for Feature Phones, Enables Digital Payments Without Smartphones PhonePe, a leading digital payments platform in India, has introduced a new service called UPI 123Pay that allows users to perform UPI transactions using feature phones without internet connectivity. This innovation aims to expand digital payment accessibility to millions of users who rely on basic mobile phones instead of smartphones. The service operates through SMS-based technology, enabling transactions even in areas with limited or no data connectivity. The UPI 123Pay service is currently available on select feature phones from brands such as Nokia, HMD, Lava International, and Itel. These devices must have pre-installed PhonePe apps to access the service. Users can register for the service by following a step-by-step process that includes verifying their bank details, providing the last six digits of their debit card, and setting a UPI PIN. Once registered, users can send money to mobile numbers or UPI IDs, make payments at physical stores, scan QR codes, and check their account balances or transaction history. The service’s SMS-based infrastructure ensures that users do not need an active internet connection to perform transactions. This is a significant development for rural and semi-urban populations in India, where feature phones remain widely used. PhonePe emphasized that the UPI 123Pay initiative builds on an existing NPCI service launched in 2022, which aimed to simplify digital payments for non-smartphone users. By integrating this technology, PhonePe seeks to bridge the gap between traditional mobile users and the growing digital economy. Users can also leverage additional features such as bill payments, recharge services, and UPI registration through their feature phones.#phonepe #nokia #itel #hmd #lava_international
