Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited: Jio is an Indian telecommunications company and a subsidiary of Jio Platforms, headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It operates a national LTE network with coverage across all 22 telecom circles. It does not offer 2G or 3G service, and instead uses only voice over LTE to provide voice service on its 4G network.
Jio soft launched on 27 December 2015 with a beta for partners and employees, and became publicly available on 5 September 2016. As of 31 December 2019, it is the largest mobile network operator in India and the third largest mobile network operator in the world with over 38.75 crore (387.5 million) subscribers.
In September 2019, Jio launched a fiber to the home service, offering home broadband, television, and telephone services. Since April 2020, Reliance Industries has raised ₹1,52,056 crore (US$21 billion) by selling 32.97% equity stake in Jio Platforms.
History
The company was registered in Ambawadi, Ahmedabad, Gujarat on 15 February 2007 as Infotel Broadband Services Limited (IBSL). In June 2010, Reliance Industries (RIL) bought a 95% stake in IBSL for ₹4,800 crore (US$670 million). Although unlisted, IBSL was the only company that won broadband spectrum in all 22 circles in India in the 4G auction that took place earlier that year. Later continuing as RIL’s telecom subsidiary, Infotel Broadband Services Limited was renamed as Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (RJIL) in January 2013.
In June 2015, Jio announced that it would start its operations throughout the country by the end of 2015. However, four months later in October, the company postponed the launch to the first quarter of the financial year 2016–2017.
Later, in July 2015, a PIL filed in the Supreme Court by an NGO called the Centre for Public Interest Litigation, through Prashant Bhushan, challenged the grant of a pan-India licence to Jio by the Government of India. The PIL also alleged that the firm was being allowed to provide voice telephony along with its 4G data service, by paying an additional fee of just ₹165.8 crore (US$23 million) which was arbitrary and unreasonable, and contributed to a loss of ₹2,284.2 crore (US$320 million) to the exchequer.
The Indian Department of Telecommunications (DoT), however, explained that the rules for 3G and BWA spectrum didn’t restrict BWA winners from providing voice telephony. As a result, the PIL was revoked, and the accusations were dismissed.
The 4G services were launched internally on 27 December 2015.The company commercially launched its 4G services on 5 September 2016, offering free data and voice services till 31 December, which was later extended till 31 March 2017. Within the first month, Jio announced that it had acquired 1.6 crore (16 million) subscribers. Jio crossed 5 crore (50 million) subscriber mark in 83 days since its launch, subsequently crossing 100 million subscribers on 22 February 2017. By October 2017 it had about 13 crore (130 million) subscribers.
Network
Radio frequency summary: Jio owns spectrum in 850 MHz and 1,800 MHz bands in India’s 22 circles, and also owns pan-India licensed 2,300 MHz spectrum. The spectrum is valid until 2035.
Partnerships: Jio shares spectrum with Reliance Communications. The sharing deal is for 800 MHz band across seven circles other than the 10 circles for which Jio already owns.
In September 2016, Jio signed a pact with BSNL for intra-circle roaming which would enable users of the operators to use each other’s 4G and 2G spectrum in national roaming mode.
In February 2017, Jio announced a partnership with Samsung to work on LTE – Advanced Pro and 5G.
Products and services
Mobile broadband: The company launched its 4G broadband services throughout India in September 2016. It was slated to release in December 2015 after some reports said that the company was waiting to receive final permits from the government.Jio offers fourth-generation (4G) data and voice services, along with peripheral services like instant messaging and streaming movies and music.
JioFiber: In August 2018, Jio began to test a new triple play fiber to the home service known tenatively as Jio GigaFiber, including broadband internet with speeds ranging from 100 to 1000 Mbit/s, as well as television and landline telephone services.
In August 2019, it was announced that the service would officially launch on 5 September 2019 as JioFiber, in honour of the company’s third anniversary. Jio also announced plans to offer streaming of films still in theatres (“First Day First Show”) to eligible JioFiber subscribers.
The company has a network of more than 250,000 km of fiber optic cables in the country, over which it will be partnering with local cable operators to get broader connectivity for its broadband services.
Devices
Jio has also marketed co-branded mobile phones.
- LYF smartphones
- JioPhone
- Jionet Wi-Fi
Jio apps
Jio sim card pouch as distributed by Reliance Jio Infocomm:
In May 2016, Jio launched a bundle of multimedia apps on Google Play as part of its upcoming 4G services. While the apps are available to download for everyone, a user will require a Jio SIM card to use them. Additionally, most of the apps are in the beta phase. Notable apps include:
- JioBrowser – a web browser for Android devices
- JioChat – instant messaging app
- JioCinema – online HD video library
- JioCloud – cloud-based backup tool
- JioHealth – health services app
- JioNews – e-reader for news
- JioMeet – video-conferencing platform
- JioMoney – online payments/wallet app
- JioSaavn – for online and offline music streaming in English and Indian languages
- JioSecurity – security app
- JioTV – TV Channels streaming service
- JioVoice – VoLTE phone simulator
- MyJio – manage Jio account and digital services associated with it
Affordable 4G phones
Reliance Jio has partnered with Google to manufacture “affordable” 4G handsets. These phones will run exclusively on Jio network. The two companies are also working on developing software for smart-TV services. Both were expected to launch in 2017.
JioFi
Jio has also launched portable Wi-Fi routers by the name JioFi.
Jio digital and television service
Jio tv: It is online or app based service which enables Jio customers to view their favourite TV channels & programmes on smartphones and tablets.
Jio tv plus service: Jio tv plus is service which brings all top 10 otp service provide from all over world to in one app such as Netflix’s, Amazon Prime, Sony Liv, Disney plus hotstar hotstar.The jio tv plus service was announced on 16 July 2020 in reliance annual meeting 2020.
Branding and marketing
On 24 December 2015, Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan was appointed as Jio’s brand ambassador.
Pokémon Go: Location-based AR game Pokémon Go was launched in India in December 2016 in collaboration with Jio in which hundreds of Jio stores and other Reliance marts and shopping malls like Reliance Trends and Reliance Digital became Sponsored PokéStops and Gyms.
Reception of Jio Prime: By July, more than 12.5 crore (125 million) Jio customers had opted for Jio Prime. The last date for registration to Jio Prime membership was 31 March 2017. This was extended until 15 April 2017 along with an introduction of a new offer, “Jio Summer Surprise”, which gave customers three months of free services. On 6 April 2017, TRAI advised Jio to withdraw this offer.
Alleged subscriber data breach
On 10 July 2017, Reliance Jio’s customer data was allegedly leaked on the website magicapk.com. The website was suspended shortly after the news of the breach broke out.