Fintech firm PhonePe has launched UPI 123Pay, a service allowing feature phone users to perform UPI transactions without internet connectivity. By leveraging an SMS-based system, the platform aims to provide digital payment access to more than 200 million feature phone users across India.
To drive adoption, PhonePe has partnered with manufacturers including Nokia, HMD, Lava International, and itel to pre-install the service on their devices. The platform supports peer-to-peer transfers, merchant payments, QR code scanning, and account management, supported by an AI-powered helpline available in 12 Indian languages.
CEO Sameer Nigam stated the initiative aims to foster financial inclusion by extending digital payment benefits beyond the smartphone ecosystem. The company intends to add features such as utility bill payments and mobile recharges in future updates.
