The digital system Namaste Pay, which allows you to pay without internet, has come into operation from today. Namaste Pay has come into operation on Tuesday with the joint investment of Nepal Telecom and Rastriya Banijya Bank.
Namaste Pay service has been brought into operation through a separate company Nepal Digital Payment Company. Krishna Bhandari, CEO of the company, said that Namaste Pay has been brought into operation with limited services for the time being and the range of services will be gradually expanded.
He said, “USSD service and Android app have been launched from today. Now the services are limited and will be gradually increased.”
Under the USSD service, you will be able to pay bill amounts by pressing the code, just like subscribing various data packs from a mobile phone.
Currently available on the network of Nepal Telecom, the service can be used by dialing *500 #. The company has stated that it is gradually diversifying this service as well.
“Without the internet, only limited payments can be made based on the USSD code, not all payments can be processed from it,” Bhandari said.
In the first phase, Nepal Telecom’s mobile top-up, electricity tariff and drinking water tariff payment services will be available using the USSD code.
Internet is not required to pay via USSD code. The amount can be paid based on the code provided by the company. Paying via USSD code does not deduct the balance on the mobile.
Similarly, to load money in Namaste Pay mobile wallet, money can be loaded by linking the accounts of about 9 banks including Nepal Bank Limited and Rastriya Banijya Bank. The company has stated that it will gradually make arrangements to load money from the remaining banks.
Namaste Pay Wallet is a separate mobile wallet service. Telecom’s mobile balance cannot be used as money. Namaste Pay Wallet can be used for electronic payments only by loading money through designated banks or agent network.
The company has stated that it has not been able to operate all possible services at the same time, as mobile financial services have to be developed and tested for business, financial cooperation and technical interconnection with various partners and stakeholders including banks, merchants, utility service providers and online business operators.
Electronic activities such as tariffs for daily use services, education and health expenses, purchase of goods and payment of government services and tax obligations can be facilitated electronically, the company said. The company has stated that it is expanding the service with the larger objective.
