Vodafone U.K. last week announced that its PAYG mobile phone subscribers will be able to top off their account at any time thanks to a partnership with Powa Technologies. Powa provides a technology platform called PowaTag, which lets consumers buy a product by scanning a QR code with a smartphone, according to a press release.

All customers will have to do is download the app, scan the PowaTag in a magazine or other advertisement, and choose their top-up value, according to the announcement.

Vodafone customers will be able to use the PowaTags to top up in a variety of locations and destinations across the U.K., including more than 500 Vodafone retail stores  as well as Argos, Brighthouse, Co-Op, Sainsbury's, Tesco, JD Williams and Wilkinsons stores. Thousands of international students coming to the U.K. in September will receive a Vodafone SIM pack from the national university admission service with a PowaTag printed on the back that lets them top up as soon as they arrive.

"Our customers have told us they wanted a tool that allowed them to top up swiftly at their leisure at a time which is convenient and which suits their schedule," Cindy Rose, consumer director at Vodafone U.K., said in a statement. "Our Pay As You Go plans offer great value and which are affordable and flexible. With this top-up addition, we are making Vodafone the network our customers can depend on."