Vodafone IDEA recently partnered with Paytm to help users and merchants earn by selling prepaid recharges. Following that, both have partnered again to make prepaid recharges easier for feature phone users and non-digital savvy users.
Vodafone IDEA users can recharge their prepaid accounts using their UPI ID through the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) channel which doesn’t require a mobile-internet facility. Although, this facility is in partnership with Paytm, non-Paytm app users can also avail this service.
Here’s a step-by-step process to recharge a Vodafone IDEA prepaid account using UPI ID
- Step 1: Dial the USSD code *99*1*3# and the bank account number linked to mobile number is detected
- Step 2: Enter the registered UPI ID in the format {mobilenumber}.{operator_name}@paytm. Eg: 98********.vf@paytm
- Step 3: Enter the recharge amount and a remark which is optional
- Step 4: Lastly, enter the UPI PIN and wait for the transaction to be successfully completed.
In case users haven’t set up their UPI PIN, it can be done through USSD directly by dialling *99# →Select the bank accounts linked with their mobile number→Set up the UPI PIN.
This facility is aimed to help millions of consumers who use feature phones to top up their numbers without having the need to visit physical retail touchpoints.
Commenting on the launch, Avneesh Khosla, Director-Marketing, Vodafone Idea Limited said:
It is our constant endeavour to ensure that our customers remain connected and safe during these times. In the last 2 months we have a launched a slew of initiatives to help consumers stay connected. We believe that this partnership with Paytm will help facilitate a large number of our digitally unconnected customers to recharge through USSD without being dependent on mobile internet, any digital app or a physical retail touchpoint. Through this partnership we will be able to provide a simple and secure solution, enhancing the convenience factor to these pre-paid customers during very testing times so as to ensure that our consumers do not have to leave the safety of their homes to recharge their phones.