Gupshup, a conversational interaction platform, has provided UPI payments for feature phone users through a native app called GSPay. The software, created in collaboration with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), would leverage SMS or even IVR-based payments to eliminate the requirement for data or internet access.

Gupshup said that it will utilize UPI 123 Pay, an immediate payment system created last year by the Reserve Bank of India and NPCI, to allow safe and secure payments for feature phone customers. Through cooperation with HMD Global, the software will be accessible on the newest versions of Nokia 105 and Nokia 106 4G feature phones, and can be used to scan QR codes and make payments.

“This innovative capability will bring vast numbers of feature phone users into the digital and payments ecosystem. We’re glad to work with NPCI, Nokia, and Airtel Payments Bank to make this a reality,” said Beerud Sheth, chief executive officer, and co-founder, of Gupshup.

Sheth told that he expects 100,000 devices to be rolled out by HMD which will translate into the adoption of the payments platform by customers. “We expect it to begin with 100,000 odd devices and then get to millions of devices. This of course will take time as payments on feature phones are something new and will need a lot of awareness creation.”

More services, such as gaming, commerce, and ticket booking, will be introduced to the platform in the future, allowing Gupshup to build a business model on UPI payments.

In answer to the question of whether the feature would push consumers to switch to smartphones, Sheth said that the payment app’s capability bridged a critical gap in feature phones, placing these users on a level with smartphone users when it comes to payments “Feature phone to smartphone switching has anyway slowed down because of several other reasons- inflation, slowdown, etc but this new feature surely gives one more reason for some users to defer their purchase,” he said.

Within the integrated app, new users may register for UPI, connect bank accounts, and establish UPI PIN with GSPay. The software allows users to make payments using either their cell number or their UPI ID, completing the transaction in a simple two-step procedure. To make a payment, the user must provide the payee’s mobile number or UPI ID, the amount, and the UPI PIN. The payment is successfully processed after confirmation, and the user is notified.

The startup is targeting 51.3% of Indians who do not have internet access but may want a means to make utility and P2P payments without a data connection. Users may use the app to pay bills, get proactive payment reminders, and keep track of their outgoing and receiving UPI transactions. The software has various layers of encryption and authentication to protect user security.

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