Wire · technology
UPI Without Internet: PhonePe Launches '123Pay' For Feature Phone Users
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◆ Geography
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Fusion42 · 31 August 2026 · Fusion42 review
PhonePe launched 'UPI 123Pay', enabling over 200 million feature phone users in India to make UPI payments without internet or smartphones, using an SMS-based system that works on limited 2G connectivity. It comes pre-installed on select Nokia, HMD, Lava International, and Itel feature phones.
This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Fintech, and 20 sources have reported it between 31 Aug 2026 and 13 Sep 2026.
◆ ◆ The Wire takeaway
PhonePe's move opens a new digital payments route beyond smartphones, putting pressure on fintech founders to build solutions inclusive of feature phone users and low-internet regions.
◆ Coverage
20 sources · first reported 31 Aug 2026 · latest 13 Sep 2026
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