Airtel Payments Bank, Hitachi team up to boost digital payments

By Vriti Gothi

Airtel Payments Bank has partnered with Hitachi Payment Services to accelerate the adoption of digital payments across India through the deployment of its Soundbox solution.

This collaboration is designed to drive digital transformation for merchants nationwide, enabling secure, seamless, and real-time transactions. By leveraging Hitachi Payment Services’ technical expertise, Airtel Payments Bank aims to empower merchants with a robust technology platform that supports the complete merchant lifecycle from onboarding and training to device deployment, payment processing, real-time analytics, and settlements.

The Soundbox device, co-deployed with Hitachi Payment Services, provides multilingual audio payment confirmations, enhancing trust and transparency for merchants and customers alike. Beyond transactional functionality, the device serves as a dynamic communication channel for merchant promotions, helping businesses engage customers effectively and strengthen their commercial outreach.

Ganesh Ananthanarayanan, Chief Operating Officer of Airtel Payments Bank, commented, “We are pleased to partner with Hitachi Payment Services for the Soundbox solution. Through this collaboration, we aim to bring greater ease and convenience to both merchants and customers by simplifying digital payments and offering real-time audio confirmation of the payment received. The Soundbox will empower small and medium businesses to accept digital payments seamlessly and securely, while enabling merchants to operate more efficiently and confidently.”

Anuj Khosla, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Business, Hitachi Payment Services, added, “We are proud to partner with Airtel Payments Bank to deliver an end-to-end Soundbox solution. By combining our expertise in digital payments with the strong merchant network of Airtel Payments Bank, we are together enabling merchants across urban and rural India to experience the distinct benefits of innovative digital payment technology. Our comprehensive offering instils trust, enhances efficiency, and fosters growth for merchants in an increasingly digital-first world.”

First launched by Airtel Payments Bank in 2024, the Soundbox solution has already transformed digital payment acceptance for merchant partners. With this expanded partnership with Hitachi Payment Services, the Bank is positioned to scale the deployment nationwide, meeting growing demand while continuing to collaborate with existing partners to drive financial inclusion and digital commerce.