Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has emerged as a pivotal tool for digital payments in today's tech-driven era. While traditionally linked with smartphones, even feature phone users can now access UPI, courtesy of the specialised service, 123PAY.
UPI 123PAY stands as an immediate payment solution tailored for feature phone users, offering a secure and convenient UPI payment experience. This service enables feature phone users to conduct a variety of transactions utilizing four technology options: dialing an IVR (interactive voice response) number, leveraging app functionality on feature phones, utilising a missed call-based approach, and employing proximity sound-based payments.
This forward-thinking initiative significantly contributes to enhancing financial inclusion by reaching a vast number of feature phone subscribers in the country, providing them with safe and convenient avenues for digital transactions."
Here are five important things feature phone users should know about using UPI 123PAY:
Setting up a UPI ID
Creating a UPI ID on a feature phone is a simple process. Users can Dial *99# on the feature phone, select the bank, provide required details like the last six digits of the debit card and expiry date, and set up a secure UPI PIN.
On completing the setup, the UPI ID will be activated. This unique identifier allows users to send and receive money digitally.
Transaction limits
UPI payments on feature phones have transaction limits in place to ensure security and manage risk. The per-day transaction limit is Rs 1,00,000, and the per-transaction limit is Rs 5,000.
Four technology alternatives
UPI 123PAY offers four technology alternatives for feature phone users. With IVR number payments, users can initiate secured calls to predefined IVR numbers to complete UPI onboarding formalities. Multiple language options are available, ensuring accessibility.
Feature phone users can also access their bank accounts and perform transactions by giving a missed call to the merchant's number. The transaction is authenticated via a callback and UPI PIN entry. Some feature phones come with embedded UPI apps developed in collaboration with mobile manufacturers (OEMs). These apps offer UPI functionality, similar to smartphone apps.
On the other hand, proximity sound-based technology solution, developed with Tonetag, enables contactless and proximity payments using sound waves. Users can make UPI payments by tapping their phone on a merchant's device and entering their UPI PIN.
Making UPI payments
To initiate UPI payments using a feature phone, users can dial the IVR number 080451 63666, select the preferred language, choose the bank, confirm transaction details, enter the recipient's mobile number, the amount, and the UPI PIN to authorize the transaction.
How is it different from UPI Lite?
While UPI 123PAY is an instant payment service,
UPI Lite is an ‘on-device wallet.’ For using this, consumers must first add money to the app's wallet from their bank accounts and then make real-time payments without the internet. It allows feature phone users to access UPI networks and make digital payments straight from their bank accounts using their phones.
