UPDATED – Reliance Jio doubles unlimited 4G data, voice offer to 6 months under invite system
REASON FOR EXTENSION
It is not clear why the validity of the unlimited plan has been increased. But it could point to the fact that Reliance Jio now expects to go for commercial launch of its services only by December of this year.
The company was initially expected to hit commercial operations in April. However, it pushed it back due to complications around indoor coverage, activations and integration of Reliance Communications’ 850 MHz spectrum.
Anil Ambani-promoted Reliance Communications is yet to hand over its 850 MHz spectrum — to be integrated into Jio’s 4G network — in most places.
Though the Mukesh Ambani firm had expected to be able to build a robust and high-penetration network using its dual-spectrum holdings, it was unable to achieve satisfactory results, according to unconfirmed reports.
As a result, it was considered better by the company to delay the commercial launch by another 3-6 months and get RCom’s 850 MHz spectrum integrated into its operations.
RCom’s spectrum, being of low frequency, would be able to easily penetrate inside buildings and will also give far superior distance coverage in rural areas.
The original 1800-2300 MHz airwaves, on the other hand, would come in handy in catering to high demand areas such as inside cities and town centers.
The delay has somewhat disappointed anxious would-be customers in a country with one of the world’s poorest broadband penetration.
Though Jio’s rivals have, over the last one year, managed to take 4G broadband to most of the places in the country, customers are not able to use the services due to prohibitively high tariff.
Traditional telecom companies like Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular offer a 20-GB-per-month metered 4G connection for around Rs 2,500, while the average income of a household in India is only around Rs 10,000 per month.
Jio is expected to offer that much data in around Rs 699-799 per month.
The company is also reportedly planning to open its network availability for everyone, thus eliminating the need of getting an invite. The invite from Reliance employees allowed users to purchase a LYF-branded smartphone from Reliance Digital stores across India. However, public SIM card availability with LYF handset could commence starting May 30.
Along with the Reliance Jio connection, users get unlimited voice and data calls for a period of three months, which is now extended up to six months till November 2016. This also hints at full-fledged commercial launch of Reliance Jio could happen around December later this year. Along with Reliance Jio 4G connection, users also get unlimited access to a range Jio apps, which includes Jio Beats, JioXpressNews, Jio Mags, Jio Security, Jio On-Demand and Jio Drive.
Reliance Jio, the telecom arm of Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Industries, has extended the trial launch of its 4G services to the public through an invite system, driven by its group employees.
Jio has now empowered the group employees, who had got the trial SIM earlier, to bring 10 more people to the 4G network through a referral invite system. The invite, which has to be sent by a RIL employee, will allow people to buy a LYF phone, which will come bundled with free unlimited 4G data and voice for three months.
"Our state of the art all- IP TRUE 4G network is being rolled out on a massive unprecedented scale. Our network leverages technologies like VoLTE, VoWiFi....As we inch closer towards our commercial launch, we are providing our near and dear ones ( Yes you!) a chance to test out our network. Powered with rich content through various Jio APPs we intend to deliver superior DIGITAL LIFE experience to Indian consumers.
Jio has now empowered the group employees, who had got the trial SIM earlier, to bring 10 more people to the 4G network through a referral invite system. The invite, which has to be sent by a RIL employee, will allow people to buy a LYF phone, which will come bundled with free unlimited 4G data and voice for three months.
"Our state of the art all- IP TRUE 4G network is being rolled out on a massive unprecedented scale. Our network leverages technologies like VoLTE, VoWiFi....As we inch closer towards our commercial launch, we are providing our near and dear ones ( Yes you!) a chance to test out our network. Powered with rich content through various Jio APPs we intend to deliver superior DIGITAL LIFE experience to Indian consumers.
The 4G operator recently revealed that its services were being tested by over 500,000 users, many of whom use LYF phones. The telco had said that it will launch full scale commercial operations once the base increases to a few million users, which his widely estimated to be towards the end of this year.
Under the offer, new connections will come with unlimited access to Jio applications for 90 days. Jio offers services like Jio Play, Jio On-Demand, Jio Beats, JioMags, JioXpressNews, Jio Security, and Jio Drive. "All this is for FREE. You just have to buy LYF handset," the invite said.
The extended trial will not just help the telco extensively test its network and services in the country, but will also allow it to push the sales of LYF-branded handsets, which are sourced from vendors like ZTE and CK Telecom. Reliance Jio, through its retail arm, is offering a number of devices under the LYF brand, priced between Rs 5490-Rs 19399. These LYF handsets can be bought only at Reliance Digital and Reliance Digital Mini store along with the invitation code, sent by a RIL employee over mail.
Reliance Retail's handset brand - LFY - emerged as India's fifth largest smartphone player in its first quarter since launch, creating a flutter in the world's fastest growing smartphone market which is led by Samsung, according to data from Counterpoint Research. LYF cornered a 7% share of the smartphone market in the first quarter of the year, on the back of high demand for 4G LTE phones in India where two of three smartphones shipped supported the high speed broadband services.
Executives at a number of Reliance Digital Xpress stores across Delhi confirmed receiving the first lot of 4G SIM cards, besides LYF-branded smartphones.
Under the offer, new connections will come with unlimited access to Jio applications for 90 days. Jio offers services like Jio Play, Jio On-Demand, Jio Beats, JioMags, JioXpressNews, Jio Security, and Jio Drive. "All this is for FREE. You just have to buy LYF handset," the invite said.
The extended trial will not just help the telco extensively test its network and services in the country, but will also allow it to push the sales of LYF-branded handsets, which are sourced from vendors like ZTE and CK Telecom. Reliance Jio, through its retail arm, is offering a number of devices under the LYF brand, priced between Rs 5490-Rs 19399. These LYF handsets can be bought only at Reliance Digital and Reliance Digital Mini store along with the invitation code, sent by a RIL employee over mail.
Reliance Retail's handset brand - LFY - emerged as India's fifth largest smartphone player in its first quarter since launch, creating a flutter in the world's fastest growing smartphone market which is led by Samsung, according to data from Counterpoint Research. LYF cornered a 7% share of the smartphone market in the first quarter of the year, on the back of high demand for 4G LTE phones in India where two of three smartphones shipped supported the high speed broadband services.
Executives at a number of Reliance Digital Xpress stores across Delhi confirmed receiving the first lot of 4G SIM cards, besides LYF-branded smartphones.
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