Prime MinisterNarendra Modi visits the stall of Jio withAshwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways and Communications along withMukesh Ambani and Akash Ambani on October 1, 2022.
The company was registered inAmbawadi, 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 (equivalent to₹110 billion or US$1.3 billion in 2023). 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.[15] Later continuing as RIL's telecom subsidiary, Infotel Broadband Services Limited was renamed as Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (RJIL) in January 2013.[16]
In June 2015, Jio announced that it would start its operations throughout the country by the end of 2015.[17] However, four months later in October, the company postponed the launch to the first quarter of the financial year 2016–2017.[18]
Later, in July 2015, aPIL filed in theSupreme Court by an NGO called theCentre for Public Interest Litigation, throughPrashant Bhushan, challenged the grant of a pan-India license to Jio by theGovernment of India. The PIL also alleged that the firm was being allowed to provide voice telephony along with its4G data service, by paying an additional fee of just₹165.8 crore (US$20 million) which was arbitrary and unreasonable, and contributed to a loss of₹2,284.2 crore (US$270 million) to the exchequer.[19][20] The IndianDepartment 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 As a result, the PIL was revoked, and the accusations were dismissed.[21]
The 4G services were launched internally on 27 December 2015.[22] The company commercially launched its 4G services on 5 September 2016,[11] offering free data and voice services until 31 December,[23] which was later extended until 31 March 2017.[24][25] Within the first month, Jio announced that it had acquired 1.6 crore (16 million) subscribers[26] and has crossed 5 crore (50 million) subscriber mark in 83 days since its launch,[27] subsequently crossing 100 million subscribers on 22 February 2017.[28] By October 2017[update], it had about 13 crore (130 million) subscribers.[29]
On 5 October 2022, it has launched 5G services toDelhi,Mumbai,Kolkata andChennai.[30] As of March 2023, Jio 5G service was available in 365 cities across India.[31] As of April 2023, 5G service was available across 2,500+ cities in India.[32] In August 2023, it was announced that Jio had completed its rollout of 5G services nationwide, ahead of schedule.[33]
Jio owns spectrum in 850 MHz and 1,800 MHz bands in India's 22circles, and also owns pan-India licensed 2,300 MHz spectrum. The spectrum is valid until 2035.[34] Jio also picked up pan-India licenses in the 700 MHz, 3,500 MHz and 26 GHz spectrum bands in the DoT's 2022 5G auction.[35]
Jio shares spectrum withReliance Communications. The sharing deal is for 800 MHz band across seven circles other than the 10 circles for which Jio already owns.[36]
Sep 2014 – Acquired undisclosed stake inAirspan Networks for US$5 mn.[37][38] Deploys Airspan's small cells throughout the network roll out phase.[39][40]
Sep 2016 – Jio signed a pact withBSNL for intra-circle roaming which would enable users of the operators to use each other's 4G and 2G spectrum innational roaming mode.[41]
Feb 2017 – Jio announced a partnership withSamsung to work on LTE – Advanced Pro and 5G.[42]
Feb 2017 – Partnered withCiena to deploy transportSDN architecture.[43][44]
Oct 2022 – Contracts withNokia &Ericsson for supplying standalone5G network equipment.[49]
Summit Digitel Infrastructure
Summit Digitel Infrastructure (formerly known as Reliance Jio Infratel Private Limited) operates 136,000 telecom sites. This division has been divested to Tower Infrastructure Trust, which is owned byBrookfield Asset Management, for a consideration of₹25,215 crore (US$3.0 billion).[50]
Products and services
Mobile broadband
The company launched its 4G broadband services throughout India in September 2016.[18] It was slated to be released in December 2015 after some reports said that the company was waiting to receive final permits from the government.[17] Jio offers fourth-generation (4G) data and voice services, along with peripheral services like instant messaging and streaming movies and music.[51] On 5 October 2022, it launched 5G services toDelhi,Mumbai,Kolkata,Chennai,Varanasi,Siliguri,Bangalore,Hyderabad andNagpur.[30]
JioFiber
In August 2018, Jio began to test a newtriple playfiber to the home service known tentatively as Jio GigaFiber, includingbroadband internet with speeds ranging from 100 to 1000 Mbit/s, as well as television and landline telephone services.[52][53]
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.[54][55][56] Jio also announced plans to offer streaming of films still in theatres ("First Day First Show") to eligible JioFiber subscribers.[57][58]
In the year 2015, the company has a network of more than 250,000 km (160,000 mi) offiber optic cables in the country, over which it will be partnering with local cable operators to get broader connectivity for its broadband services.[59]
In August 2023, in the Reliance AGM, the chairman of Reliance announced that the JioAirFiber eliminates the need for the last mile fiber cable connectivity by making use of the Jio 5G wireless network, and the product was made available for purchase from 19 September 2023.[62][63]
The company has started installing JioAirFiber devices from 1 October 2023.[citation needed]
Jio SpaceFiber
On 27 October 2023, Jio launched its satellite-based GigaFiber internet service in India.[64]
In June 2015, Jio entered into an agreement with domestic handset makerIntex to supply 4G handsets capable of voice over LTE (VoLTE).[66] However, in October 2015, Jio announced that it would be launching its own mobile handset brand namedLYF.[67][68][69]
On 25 January 2016, the company launched its LYF smartphone[70] series starting with Water 1, through its chain of electronic retail outlets,Reliance Retail.[71] Three more handset models have been released so far, namely Water 2,[72] Earth 1,[73] and Flame 1.[74][75]
JioPhone is a line offeature phones marketed by Jio. The first model, released in August 2017 (with public pre-orders beginning 24 August 2017), was positioned as an "affordable" LTE-compatible feature phone. It runs on theKaiOS platform (derived from the defunctFirefox OS), and includes a 2.4-inch display, a dual-core processor, 4 GB of internal storage,near-field communication support, a suite of Jio-branded apps (including thevoice assistant HelloJio), and a Jio-brandedapplication store. It also supports a "TV cable" accessory for output to an external display.[76][77][78]
In July 2018, the company unveiled theJioPhone 2, an updated model in akeyboard bar form factor with a QWERTY keyboard and horizontal display. Jio also announced thatFacebook,WhatsApp, andYouTube apps would become available for the two phones.[79]
JioPhone Next
The JioPhone Next is a fully-featuredAndroid smartphone co-developed withGoogle as part of Jio's long-term partnership. It was announced on 24 June 2021, byMukesh Ambani. The budget smartphone was launched in India on 4 November 2021.[80][81][82][83]
The JioPhone Next will be run by the indigenously built Pragati OS based on theAndroid Go operating system. This phone is classified as an entry-level phone and is aimed at replacingfeature phones and providing basicsmartphone services efficiently at low specifications.[84]
Jio Bharat
Reliance Jio has introduced a budget-friendly4G phone called Jio Bharat at an affordable price of ₹999. The phone's sales commenced on 7 July 2023, andReliance Jio aims to eliminate 2G technology from India through the widespread adoption of this device. The Jio Bharat Phone is specifically targeted towards individuals who are unable to afford expensive smartphones but still rely on basic features.[85][86]
JioFi
JioFi is a portable broadband device brought byReliance Digital. The JioFi device allows multiple users and mobile devices to access Jio's 4G high-speed internet connectivity and create a personalWi-Fi hotspot.[citation needed]
JioTag, an affordableobject tracker, was introduced byReliance Jio in India. By utilizingBluetooth 5.1 technology and the JioThings app, JioTag assists in locating lost items and alerts you when you inadvertently leave your connected device behind.[88]
JioTag Air
This tracking device was launched in July 2024 by Reliance Jio, as a successor to JioTag. It featuresBluetooth 5.3 technology. It supports both iOS (iOS 14 and above) and Android (version 9 and above) platforms.[89][90]
In March 2016, Jio started providing freeWi-Fi internet to spectators at six cricket stadiums hosting the2016 ICC World Twenty20 matches.[100]
Jio apps
Jio sim card pouch as distributed by Reliance Jio Infocomm
In May 2016, Jio launched a bundle of multimedia apps onGoogle Play as part of its upcoming 4G services. While the apps are available to download for everyone, a user will require a JioSIM card to use some of them. Notable apps include:
MyJio – manage Jio account and digital services associated with it
JioSphere(formerly JioPages) – a web browser forAndroid device with VPN[101][102]
JioPOS Lite – platform for partners to earn[citation needed]
Controversies
Issue with incumbents
In September 2016, theTelecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) summoned Jio and the country's existing telecom operators likeAirtel,Vodafone, andIdea Cellular to meet and discuss an issue regarding the interconnection between the operators. This was a result of Jio complaining to TRAI andDepartment of Telecom (DoT) about other operators not honoring their commercial agreements to let Jio use their network resources. The company further added that the operators are trying to sabotage its entry into the telecom scene. However, DoT dismissed the request and directed TRAI to help settle the dispute amicably. Moreover, theCellular Operators Association of India (COAI) requested TRAI to include all the operators in the discussion instead of the three.[112]
The incumbent operators had previously approached the country's PMO to reiterate their stance that they "are in no way obliged or in any position to entertain Jio's requests for interconnection points as they do not have either the network or the financial resources to terminate the latter's humongous volumes of potentially asymmetric voice traffic." Responding to this, Mukesh Ambani, owner of Jio, said, "All operators have publicly said last week that they will provide this (interconnect and MNP). So, we are waiting. These are all great companies. They have their own reputations to protect. I am confident they won't violate the law." Commenting about number portability, he added, "The number belongs to the consumer. No operator can cause trouble if they want to change operators."[113] However, on 12 September 2016, Idea Cellular agreed to allow Jio to use 196 of its interconnection access points.[114]
Subscriber data breach
On 10 July 2017, Jio's customer data was allegedly leaked on the website magicapk.com.[115] The website was suspended shortly after the news of the breach broke out.[116]
Farmers' boycott
During the2020–2021 Indian Farmers' Protest, farmers across multiple states in northern part of India boycotted and vandalized Jio's towers owing to allegations of Reliance Industries's support to controversial farm laws of India.[117] Jio blamed its competitors Airtel and Vodafone for spreading rumours of "Reliance being an undue beneficiary in the farm bills", an allegation both the companies denied.[118] The company saw a loss of around 25 lakh (2.5 million) subscribers in Punjab and Haryana between November and December 2020.[119]
Bird deaths
In January 2021, several social media posts started circulating linking bird deaths to Jio's 5G network trials. The claims were found to be fake as 5G trials were not yet permitted. The cause of the death of the birds is determined as due to an outbreak ofbird flu.[120]
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