Vodafone Idea launches voice-based recharge service at retail outlets

Vodafone says that the Google Assistant can pick up voice from a distance of up to 10 feet.

This service is available for all prepaid customers. (MINT_PRINT)

Vodafone Idea on Thursday launched a voice-based contactless recharge service at its retail outlets in India. The newly launched service will enable the Vodafone Idea prepaid users to recharge their phone numbers while adhering to the social distancing norms enforced in the country to tackle the Covid-19 outbreak.

Here is how it all works: When customers go to a Vodafone or an Idea retail outlet, the retailer hands them over a mobile phone wherein they enter their phone number and the recharge amount. The retailer uses the Smart Connect Retailer app to recharge the customer's phone number. Now, the company has added a voice-based recharge option wherein users can speak their mobile number which will then be captured by Google Assistant on the Smart Connect Retailer app. According to the company, Google Assistant can pick up the voice from a distance of up to 10 feet.

"In order to facilitate contactless recharges, Smart Connect is now enabled with voice based recharge feature and is available at all Vodafone Idea own stores and multi-branded stores," Vodafone Idea said in a statement to PTI

"This has been made possible through Vodafone Idea's Smart Connect retailer app which allows retailers to recharge without having to hand over the phone to the customer to enter their mobile number," the company added.

Initially, the service will be available in Hindi and in English. The company plans to expand this service to other languages soon.