Jio May Roll Out UPI Payment Soundbox To Take On Paytm, PhonePe: What We Know So Far

Jio Soundbox reportedly represents an expansion of its existing Jio Pay App, leveraging Soundbox technology to broaden its market presence.

Reliance Jio Payments aims to introduce the Soundbox product across various retail outlets.

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Reliance Jio is reportedly looking to enter the payments soundbox sector, aiming to take on market giants Paytm and PhonePe. According to sources cited by The Hindu Business Line, Reliance Jio is expected to introduce payment boxes sometime this year. The digital payment sector is witnessing rapid growth in India. The entry of Reliance Jio's Payments Soundbox is expected to intensify competition among key players in the UPI segment.

What Is Jio Payments Soundbox? 

Reliance Jio's Payments Soundbox reportedly represents an expansion of its existing Jio Pay App, leveraging Soundbox technology to broaden its market presence. Trials for the Soundbox technology have commenced in retail locations, signalling an impending rollout.

What is a soundbox, you ask? Well, it is the small box that plays an audio announcement of the amount you paid to a seller via UPI. 

The report suggests that Reliance Jio intends to offer attractive incentives to shop owners, potentially bolstering its position in the UPI Market.

Unlike traditional devices, the soundbox operates on a unique model. Users are charged upon procurement, with a fixed monthly rental for the services it offers. Beyond its primary function of emitting auditory alerts, the soundbox serves a dual purpose as a point-of-sale (POS) device for QR code-based transactions. This multifunctionality has rendered it a lucrative asset for fintech companies seeking to diversify their revenue streams.

However, the value of the soundbox extends beyond its utility in transactions. It also provides invaluable insights into merchant behaviour, enabling fintech companies to tailor financial offerings such as loans based on this data.

When Will Jio Roll Out Payments Soundbox?

The Hindu Business Line indicates that Reliance Jio plans a comprehensive pilot launch of the Soundbox across its Reliance Retail stores within the next eight to nine months. Initially tested in tier-2 cities like Indore, Jaipur, and Lucknow, successful trials will pave the way for its penetration into urban markets.

Following successful pilot projects, Reliance Jio Payments aims to introduce the Soundbox product across various retail outlets, marking a significant move in the digital payment landscape.

How Much Will Jio Payments Soundbox Be Priced At?

The pricing strategy of the soundbox varies among providers. While the charges for Jio’s offering remain undisclosed, as reported by The Hindu, experts speculate that competitive pricing could disrupt the market significantly. For instance, Paytm advertises the device at a nominal fee of Rs 1, with a monthly rental of Rs 125, as per The Hindy report. Similarly, PhonePe charges a monthly rental of Rs 49, catering to a different segment of the market. BharatPe has made significant strides in this sector, while rumours suggest that Google Pay may soon enter the fray.

With over 20 million Indian merchants utilising soundboxes, Paytm maintains its dominance in the market, closely followed by PhonePe.