The QR in the name stands for quick response, expressing the development concept for the code, whose focus was placed on high-speed reading. Beyond payments and marketing, QR codes have been used in a variety of other ways such as contactless ticketing and checking into events. And with the recent outbreak of COVID-19, there has been a renewed interest in QR codes to facilitate contactless interaction.
In order to provide a safe solution and to facilitate QR payment system, The Bangladesh Bank initiated a unified Bangla QR code in Bangladesh. Now, consumers who want to do transactions through QR will not face any problem because of the availability of QRs.
QR codes are not just a way to reduce contact – they are also a powerful marketing tool. Businesses can use QR codes to track customer preferences and create targeted marketing campaigns.
Juniper Research has predicted the global spend using QR code payments will reach over $3 trillion by 2025; rising from 2.4% in 2022 and reaching 25%. This explosion of growth is being driven primarily due to a focus on improving financial inclusion across developing regions and creating a replacement for traditional payment methods in advanced economies.
History of QR Codes
QR codes have become a ubiquitous part of our lives, and it is hard to imagine a world without them. But how did this technology come about? QR codes were invented in 1994 by Masahiro Hara from the Japanese company Denso Wave. Denso Wave strategically decided not to patent the code technology but rather to make it freely available, encouraging its use and establishing QR standards. In 2002, Sharp introduced a phone with an embedded QR code reader. A phone with the ability to read QR codes may have been a revolutionary idea back then; with over 6 billion smartphones globally today, 80% of world’s population can take advantage of this available way of exchanging information.
How QR code normally works
A QR code is a type of barcode that can be read by an optical scanner. Unlike traditional barcodes, which can only store a limited amount of data, QR codes can store up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters. This allows them to encode much more information than other types of barcodes. When a QR code is scanned, the scanner translates the squares into the original data.
QR codes are intended to be scanned with a camera, like the one on your smartphone. QR readers on smartphones work by scanning them using dedicated apps which interpret the data stored within these two-dimensional barcodes. And make it available via actions triggered after reading each individual symbol. QR codes are commonly used to store web links, but they can also store arbitrary data such as text or images.
Bangla QR
In today’s digital age, it is no surprise that people are increasingly relying on contactless methods of payment. With the outbreak of COVID-19, this trend has only accelerated, as people look for ways to minimize their exposure to the virus. The Bangladesh Bank has developed a National QR Code Standard for Bangla QR, which will allow for open-loop interoperable QR code-based payments. This will allow customers who use internet banking to make payments using any QR code that is Bangla QR certified. The goal of this initiative is to promote digital transactions and reduce the reliance on cash.
Previously, users who wanted to pay via QR code might run into problems due to the lack of compatibility between different banks’ QR codes. This meant that if a user was a customer of a specific mobile financial service or bank, he or she could only do transactions with that same institution. There was no generalized system which would provide benefits to any user. Furthermore, this lack of interoperability hindered the growth of digital commerce in the country. However, this will no longer be an issue if Bangla QR adoption becomes common.
Process
The solution offers a way of secure, digital transactions from many banks to your merchant account. Customers can pay using mobile payment apps provided by their bank.
Customers must first download an app that supports Bangla QR codes. Following successful QR code scanning, merchant and transaction information will be displayed. The customer enters the purchase amount after scanning the QR code. The customer enters an OTP to authorize and complete payment. The app will debit the transaction from the customer’s specified source. Following payment, the system sends an email acknowledging receipt.
Bangla QR is compliant with EMV specifications and capable of accommodating local requirements while upholding global transaction standards. EMVCo is the international technical organization that makes it possible for secure payment transactions to be accepted and interoperable on a global scale. A unified worldwide payments framework that supports a wide variety of developing payment methods, technologies, and acceptance settings is promoted through the adoption of EMV Specifications and the related approval and certification processes.
The specifications are made to be flexible and adaptable at the regional level to satisfy federal payment requirements and consider local laws.
In addition to card-based payments, the EMV QR Code MPM Specification can also support account-based payments. This expands choice and participation for all parties, improves openness and flexibility of QR Code deployments based on the EMV Specification, and can be implemented in any market.
Benefits
Facilitates Micro-merchants in Digital Payment System: This payment acceptance solution focuses on bringing more micro-merchants under the digital payment ecosystem, with a view to advancing the nation’s progress towards becoming a “less cash society”.
Standardized Payment Process: Bangla QR helps to standardize the payment experience by providing a consistent way for businesses to accept payments. aims to provide customers with a hassle-free payment system instead of using and carrying cash and bank cards.
Alternative to expensive Point of Sales (POS) devices: QR code-based payments have emerged as a viable alternative to expensive Point of Sales (POS) devices, with the potential to bring more micro-merchants under the digital payment ecosystem. QR code-based payments offer several advantages over POS devices, including lower costs, flexibility and scale. With QR codes, merchants can easily accept payments from any customer with a smartphone, without having to invest in expensive POS hardware.
Effective Foreign Intercommunication Solution: Bangla QR can serve as a convenient and efficient foreign intercommunication solution. With Bangla QR, travelers can have a more enjoyable and hassle-free experience when visiting Bangladesh.
Best fit for Small Business: In addition, QR codes can be used to split bills and track expenses, making them ideal for small businesses. As we move towards a less cash society, QR code-based payments are likely to play an increasingly important role in enabling merchants of all sizes to accept digital payments.
Why adopt Bangla QR
The Bangladesh Bank is initiating a campaign to promote an interoperable QR code around the capital city to put millions of small enterprises, including street sellers and lower-income groups, under the digital transaction system. Ten banks, three MFS providers, and three card-based payment gateways are now taking part in a central bank trial project (18 Jan –21 Feb,2023). 200 QR booths are said to be installed by each bank in Dhaka City as part of this experimental operation.
This shift towards digital banking shows no signs of slowing down, meaning that those who work in finance need to be prepared for a future where online platforms play a major role. In order to stay ahead of the curve, it’s important to keep up with the latest trends and developments in fintech. This entails keeping up with new technologies as well as changes in consumer behavior.
If you’re looking for a way to stay ahead of the curve in the financial sector, Bangla QR is worth considering. So, if you’re from a bank and financial institution, this solution is maybe the solution that you were looking for to elevate your business. And if you’re simply interested in adding Bangla QR to your respective banking app, you won’t be disappointed either. The benefits it brings are numerous and well worth the effort.
Brain Station 23’s contribution
As the world increasingly moves towards digital transactions, it is essential for banks to provide solutions that meet customer needs. United Commercial Bank, City Bank and ABBL wanted to implement the service according to the specifications shared by Bangladesh Bank. These banks aimed to give customers a more streamlined and open service. We at Brain Station 23, provided the solution to launch the Bangla QR payment in their corresponding banking apps. and we believe that it will play a key role in promoting a cashless society in Bangladesh. With its ease of use and safety features, Bangla QR is poised to become the preferred choice for digital transactions in Bangladesh.
If you’re interested in exploring fintech solutions, contact us to see if our technical solutions are the right fit for your financial institution or bank.
Contributor
- Md Mahmudul Hasan