While there are plenty of websites that allow you to do prepaid mobile recharges, Google today introduced a new feature that will now allow users to discover, compare, and recharge prepaid mobile plans using Google Search.
This search experience is currently available for users that have signed-in using their Android devices, and collates prepaid service plans from Airtel, Vodafone-Idea, Jio and BSNL across India.
According to Google, prepaid mobile users can now browse through plans across the above-mentioned telecom operators, compare discounts and offers, and can do recharge using payment service providers such as Mobikwik, Paytm, FreeCharge and Google Pay. Consumers can also choose to pay with a mobile wallet or payment service of their choice via the service provider’s website or app. This feature is only available in English in India.
Here is how it works.
- When a user sends a query that's related to recharge, for instance ‘prepaid mobile recharge,’ this triggers a Search result that has key fields such as phone number, operator, and circle.
- Once a user submits the form, they can tap Browse plans to view available prepaid plans.
- After a user chooses a plan, they are given a list of valid offers from all the providers who can fulfil the selected plan. The user can then tap a provider to complete checkout through the provider’s app or mobile site.
- When the user completes the transaction, the provider’s confirmation page includes a Back to Google button that directs the user back to Search. On the confirmation page, users are also given access to customer support information about the recharge.
In India, there are over 1.1 billion cellular connections, about 95 per cent of which comprise prepaid SIM cards.