Paytm said the service is based on NPCI’s new payment service * 99, which operates on the unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) channel.
India’s online payment platform Paytm has launched a new feature. This will facilitate feature phone users to recharge the phone. Customers will now be able to recharge their Vodafone-idea number with only a valid UPI ID. Paytm will work with Vodafone-idea and National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to expand the service across the country.
This step will help millions of consumers who do not have a smartphone and need to visit the shops to recharge. The company said that mobile-internet data is not required to take advantage of this service, as well as non-Paytm app users can also easily take advantage of this service.
Paytm said the service is based on NPCI’s new payment service * 99 #, which operates on the unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) channel. This service allows mobile banking transactions using basic feature phones. In addition, mobile Internet data is not required to use USID based banking. Paytm is working towards the goal of bringing half the Indian population into the mainstream economy. Taking another step in the same direction, the company has participated in this initiative to ensure that millions of expatriates who are away from home and living with limited resources stay in touch with their families.
For Vodafone Idea users with UPI ID registered with BHIM UPI
- Dial USSD code 991*3#
- Vodafone Idea subscriber’s bank account number that is linked to the mobile number, through which the USSD code is punched in, is detected.
- User needs to then enter their unique Paytm UPI ID. Vodafone Customers can enter (98**.vf@paytm), and Idea customers can enter (98**.id@paytm)
- Enter the recharge amount required
- Give the UPI Pin for completing the transaction
- The recharge should be completed, and a UPI reference ID should be generated for the user.
For Vodafone Idea users with UPI ID not registered with BHIM UPI
- Dial USSD code 99#
- Vodafone Idea subscribers are shown all of their bank accounts linked with the mobile number from where the USSD code is dialed in
- The subscriber needs to then select the bank account they want to register with their UPI ID
- Once selected, the subscriber will be asked to set a UPI PIN
- After the UPI PIN is set, go back and type USSD code 9913#
- Vodafone Idea subscriber’s bank account number that is linked to the mobile number, through which the USSD code is punched in, is detected.
- User needs to then enter their unique Paytm UPI ID. Vodafone Customers can enter (98**.vf@paytm), and Idea customers can enter (98**.id@paytm)
- Enter the recharge amount required
- Give the UPI Pin for completing the transaction
- The recharge should be completed, and a UPI reference ID should be generated for the user
To serve customers during this phase of social distancing, Vodafone Idea recently also introduced a voice-based contactless recharge option for its prepaid customers that can be used at retail outlets. The voice-based contactless recharge option works via Vodafone Idea’s Smart Connect retailer app that retailers use to recharge Vodafone and Idea accounts.
