FAQ: OpenPAYGO Pass

OpenPAYGO Pass is an Open Source innovation developed by SolarisLab and EnAccess to simplify the Pay-as-you-go (Paygo) experience for users in areas without Mobile Money (MoMo) services and/or low connectivity. It uses RFID technology to facilitate easier payment and activation processes for Paygo products and services.

Users receive an RFID tag which they tap on their Paygo device before and after making payments at a kiosk with an agent. The tag communicates with a mobile app used by agents, transmitting payment details and receiving activation codes. This process ensures seamless activation of Paygo services and allows distributors to gather usage data.

In regions where MoMo services are limited or absent, users typically face cumbersome payment processes involving manual recording and transferring of device serial numbers. OpenPAYGO Pass streamlines this by integrating RFID technology, enhancing user convenience, and enabling distributors to collect usage data efficiently.

OpenPAYGO Pass improves the customer journey by reducing payment errors and saving time for both users and distributors. It also enables distributors to gather valuable usage data, facilitating better service provision and potentially unlocking results-based financing for underserved customers.

The RFID readers integrated into Paygo devices cost less than $1 USD, while RFID tags for users are priced between $0.01 and $0.5, depending on style. These costs are minimal compared to the operational efficiencies and enhanced user experience they provide.They also sum up to nearly the same costs required for a keypad to enter the tokens manually in the “traditional” way.

Yes, OpenPAYGO Pass is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing Paygo systems. It can be implemented alongside Mobile Money solutions where available, or independently in regions without MoMo connectivity, ensuring flexibility and scalability for Paygo providers.