The RBI has launched UPI123Pay which allows feature phone users to make payments through UPI without the need for internet.
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Rural Access
The need for such a feature arose since UPI features are mostly available on smartphones currently.
This excludes people from rural areas from being able to access the payments service.
RBI governor Shaktikanta Das said that this initiative could deepen the digital ecosystem and financial inclusion.
Features
Feature phone users can transfer funds through 4 alternatives: an IVR number, app functionality, missed calls and proximity sound-based payments.
Users will be able to make P2P payments, utility bill payments, FASTag recharge and mobile bills through the new feature.
However, transactions through scan and pay will not be available as an option.
The UPI123Pay feature is available in several Indian languages.
IVR Method
- Link your bank account with your feature phone
- Set up your UPI pin by using debit card details
- To make payments, call the IVR number ‘080 4516 3666’
- Select your preferred language
- Tap on the ‘1’ key on your phone to transfer money.
- Select the bank paired with UPI by saying the bank name.
- Tap ‘1’ key to confirm the details.
- Tap the ‘1’ key to send money by using your mobile number.
- Enter the mobile number.
- Confirm the details.
- Enter the amount that you want to transfer.
- Enter your UPI PIN and authorise the money transfer.
Missed Call Method
RBI has also launched a missed call payments feature through which one can make a UPI payment by giving a missed call on the merchant/shop’s number.
First, you will have to give a missed call on the number given by the merchant.
The number acts as the ID for the said merchant.
A pop-up will appear on the phone screen asking you to add the amount to be transferred.
Finally, confirm the payment by adding your UPI pin.
Sound-Based Method
This method allows sound waves to enable contactless, offline, and proximity data communication on any device.
This works by tapping the phone on the sound-based payments device.
After tapping the device, the user has to enter the amount to be transferred and validate the transaction with their UPI pin.
24×7 Helpline
A 24×7 helpline for digital payments has also been set up.
The helpline is called Digisaathi which will help users with queries on digital payments via website and chatbot.
Users can visit www.digisaathi.info or call on 14431 and 1800 891 3333 from their phones for airing their queries on digital payments and grievances.
[…] Recently, RBI has launched UPI123Pay, which allow feature phone users to make payment through UPI without the internet. […]