PhonePe Rolls Out UPI 123Pay for Feature-Phone Users Without Internet

2 September 2026National

PhonePe, a Third Party Application Provider, launched UPI 123Pay, letting feature-phone users make Unified Payments Interface transactions without internet access through an SMS-based architecture that works even on low-bandwidth or 2G networks. Built on the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) framework, it supports P2P and P2M payments by mobile number or UPI ID, QR-code scanning on supported devices, and access to bank balance and transaction history. The service comes pre-installed on select Nokia, HMD, Lava International and itel Mobile handsets and is backed by an AI-powered voice helpline in English and 12 Indian languages, targeting financial inclusion beyond the smartphone economy.

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UPI 123Pay was launched by the RBI and NPCI in March 2022 for feature-phone users, with IVR, missed-call, app-based and proximity sound-based modes | NPCI was set up in 2008 as the umbrella organisation for retail payments, promoted by the RBI and the Indian Banks' Association | PhonePe was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka

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