Reliance Jio GigaFiber with GigaTV may cost Rs 500 a month; launch in Nov

Pre-registrations for the Reliance Jio GigaFiber service would begin from August 15 on Jio.com and My Jio app. However, the service is not expected to launch before the last quarter of this month

Reliance Jio, the telecommunication service provider promoted by Mukesh Ambani, is gearing up to foray into the home broadband segment with the launch of Jio GigaFiber fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) internet service, which was announced at Reliance Industries' 41st Annual General Meeting. The pre-registrations for the service would begin from August 15 on Jio 4G LTE Network and My Jio app. However, the service is not expected to launch before the last quarter of this month.

At the RIL AGM, Ambani had announced that the Reliance Jio GigaFiber had already been under testing in several cities and it would launch simultaneously in around 1,100 cities for homes, small and medium businesses and big corporate houses. He had also announced that the pre-registration for Jio GigaFiber home broadband would open from August 15, and a location that receives most users’ interest would be among the first locations to get the service.

With the Reliance Jio GigaFiber service, the company is promising internet speed of up to 1Gbps. However, the company did not share some information like the preliminary connection cost, security deposit and details of monthly plans. But a recent news report in the Economic Times hints that the company would focus on volumes to drive demand. Therefore, it would offer broadband services bundled with DTH services at about Rs 500 a month, or effectively half the price of what other cable operators charge for similar services.

ALSO READ: Reliance Jio Phone 2, Jio GigaFiber pre-bookings start on Aug 15: Know more

As for add-on features of the Jio GigaFiber, unlike most other broadband services, this would not be limited only to internet connection. The FTTH internet service would act as an underlying technology that would allow the company to foray into home automation, home surveillance, landline and cable television services. However, in the beginning, the broadband connection would have only internet services and Jio GigaTV service, which was also announced during the RIL AGM 2018.

The GigaTV set-top-box would offer internet-based digital content services, along with access to Jio’s app suite. Interestingly, the set-top-box would also support a video calling feature, allowing users to make video calls from their televisions. It is to be seen how the feature would work as the televisions currently do not support camera, in-build or external. The GigaTV remote would be voice-enabled, which would make it work with voice commands – something similar to how Amazon’s Fire Stick remote works.

RJio Monsoon Hungama: JioPhone at Rs 594 with free data, calls for 6 months

While the company is offering effectively free JioPhone at a refundable security deposit of Rs 501, the feature phone comes bundled with six months unlimited free data and voice at Rs 594

Reliance Jio, a Mukesh Ambani-owned telecommunication service provider, is gearing up to launch the second iteration of its 4G VoLTE-enabled feature phone – the JioPhone 2 – on August 15. However, before rolling out the new device, the company has announced ‘JioPhone Monsoon Hungama’ offer in which the company is offering an effectively free JioPhone, in exchange of any other feature phone, at a refundable security deposit of Rs 501; Rs 999 less than the original security deposit of Rs 1,500.

RJio Monsoon Hungama offer details

With the Jio Monsoon Hungama offer, the company also announced a Rs 99 exclusive recharge plan for JioPhone users that comes bundled with the JioPhone. While the company is offering JioPhone at a security deposit of Rs 501, the feature phone comes bundled with six months unlimited free data and voice at Rs 594 (Rs 99 x 6). This means, customers will need to shell out Rs 1,095 (Rs 501 refundable security + Rs 594 recharge) upfront to get the JioPhone bundled with six months of unlimited calls and data in exchange of their old feature phone.

ALSO READ: From today, Reliance Jio's 'Monsoon Hungama' to offer JioPhone at Rs 501

Eligible devices for exchange

Any mobile phone purchased after January 1, 2015 in working condition without any missing part or damage, broken and burnt area is eligible for exchange with Reliance JioPhone.

However, JioPhone or any CDMA or operator locked phones are not eligible and will not be accepted for exchange, according to Reliance Jio.

For exchange only the phone, along with battery and charger, is required and other accessories such as headphones, box, screen guard, etc. are not required. Users can also check if their device is eligible for exchange at Jio.com.

Existing Jio SIM users or other users on other operators

The JioPhone is a SIM-locked feature phone that works only on Jio 4G VoLTE network. Therefore, even the existing Jio network subscribers would require a new connection to operate the JioPhone. For subscribers on other networks, if they wish to retain their number, they can port their number using mobile number portability option to Jio network to use it with JioPhone.

JioPhone 2

In the 41st Annual General Meeting of Reliance Industries, Mukesh Ambani announced the JioPhone 2, which is an upgraded version of the JioPhone, with horizontal screen and BlackBerry-inspired physical QWERTY keyboard. The phone will be available starting August 15 at an introductory price of Rs 2,999.

JioPhone 2, Jio GigaFibre, Jio GigaTV announced: Things you need to know

Mukesh Ambani said upgraded JioPhones will have social media applications such as YouTube and Facebook, along with instant messaging service Whatsapp.

Mukesh Ambani on Thursday announced the launch of JioPhone 2, Jio fixed broadband services (Jio GigaFibre) and Jio Digital TV services (Jio GigaTV set-top box) at the company’s 41st annual general meeting, which was held in Mumbai. The company also said its upgraded JioPhones will have social media applications such as YouTube and Facebook, along with instant messaging service Whatsapp.

JioPhone 2

Like JioPhone, the JioPhone 2 is also a KaiOS-based 4G VoLTE-enabled feature phone, but with a full QWERTY keyboard and a wide horizontal screen. The phone sports a 2.4 QVGA screen, 4-way navigation key with a dedicated key for voice commands, dual-SIM slots and microSD card slot. In terms of specifications, the phone boasts 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal space, expandable up to 128GB via microSD card. Powering the phone is a 2,000 mAh battery, and the phone features in-build FM, NFC, GPS and Wi-Fi. The JioPhone 2 will also have access to social media applications such as YouTube and Facebook, along with instant messaging service WhatsApp. The phone will be available starting from August 15 at an introductory price of Rs 2,999.

After running trials at select cities, Mukesh Ambani on Thursday announced Jio’s fixed-line broadband services, which would be launched in 1,100 cities simultaneously for homes, merchants and small and medium enterprises and large enterprises. According to the company, Jio GigaFibre services would offer internet speed of up to one gigabyte per second (Gbps). The company did not announce the launch date or plans, but interested users can register their interest for Jio GigaFibre services on Jio web portal starting August 15. The locality that shows major interest would be among the first locations to get Jio’s home broadband services, according to Mukesh Ambani.

ALSO READ: Broadband stocks fall as RIL announces launch of JioGigaFibre

Jio GigaTV

Jio’s digital television content services is a part of GigaFibre internet services. The GigaTV set-top-box would offer internet-based digital content services, along with access to Jio’s app suite. Interestingly, the set-top-box would also support a video calling feature, which would allow users to make video calls from their televisions. It is still to be seen how the feature would work as the televisions currently does not support camera, in-build or external. The GigaTV remote would be voice-enabled, which would make it work with voice commands – something similar to how the Amazon’s Fire Stick remote works.

RCom: Will the monetisation plan work?

RCom has also talked about monetising its real estate but that is easier said than done

Anil-Ambani led Reliance Communications' offer to lenders to take control of the company by converting Rs 7,100 crore of its debt into a 51 per cent equity stake is perhaps the telecom major's best bet. If the latest rescue attempt goes through, lenders led by SBI will hold at least 51 per cent in the telco and promoters stake will be halved to around 26 per cent.

RCom has said it will get about Rs 17,000 crore by monetising its assets. The plan includes selling its tower business, fibre network, and media convergence nodes and it will estimates another Rs 10,000 crore through real estate sales in eight cities. Post debt monetisation, the company said it would have only Rs 6,000 crore of debt left. Moreover, another Rs 4,000 crore taken from unsecured creditors like Ericsson needs to be negotiated with.

So how prudent is this monetisation plan?*

Under its earlier plan, RCom had said it would cut its debt by half by December through a merger with Aircel and sale of majority stake in its tower business to Canada-based investment firm Brookfield Infrastructure for Rs 11,000 crore, valuing the business at Rs 20,000 crore. However, now that the Aircel deal is off and RCom shutting down its 2G business, which constitutes for a bulk of its subscribers, the deal valuation is likely to be revised downwards. In essence, the telecom tower deal is subject to a new valuation given that Aircel’s tenancies will not be included in the deal anymore. Moreover, RCom now runs the risk of losing at least half of its 2G subscribers.

Also Read : New Year disruption plan: Now, Reliance Jio moves to broadband, TV space

Analysts say that even if RCom sells the entire 100 per cent stake in its 43,600 tower assets to Brookfield it will not fetch them more than Rs 8,000 crore.

RCom is hoping that it will be able to rake in Rs 14,000 crore from its spectrum sale though the value of the spectrum is Rs 26,000 crore, which includes spectrum it got from the merger of MTS. However, analysts are of the view that there is already a huge oversupply of spectrum, and that the paper price might not be reflected in reality. RCom may also not find many takers for its spectrum given how things went down with Telenor and TTSL which gave their spectrum virtually free to Bharti Airtel. (more)

Rs 2500 JioPhone @ just Rs 1500! How RIL is planning to recover losses

Jio has amassed more than 128 million subscribers since its launch last year

Reliance Industries' telecom upstart Jio is footing at least 40 percent of the cost of its basic 4G phone, two sources familiar with the matter said, as it bets on recovering the investment by luring in millions of new customers.

The Jio Phone, rolling out this week for a refundable deposit of 1,500 rupees ($23.05), will cost at least 2,500 rupees ($39) to assemble, the sources told Reuters.

That means Jio will likely carry more than $150 million in costs for every 10 million JioPhones it sells.

And the company aims to build a subscriber base of between 250 million and 300 million users in the next two years, said one of the sources.

Reliance Industries did not respond to a request for comment.

Some Reliance investors may flinch at the cost of subsidies, but the scale of the outlay is a clear signal of the level of Jio's ambition, as it targets an audience of some 500 million who still cannot afford smartphones in India.

Also Read : Nokia 8 with dual rear camera launched in India at Rs 36,999

Jio's advanced voice over LTE (VoLTE) network only works with 4G enabled devices, inaccessible to many even at subsidised rates. The significantly cheaper JioPhone, however, will open the Internet to a less affluent segment of Indians for the very first time.

"The 3,000-rupee smartphone was not cutting it," the second source said. "Reliance is making a bold attempt with this phone and data will be the key driver for them."

Analysts estimate a majority of Indian feature phone users have an average revenue per user (ARPU) of rupees 50 or lower. JioPhone's 153 rupees monthly plan for so-called pre-paid users aims to drive up this ARPU, the first source said.

Jio, backed by India's richest man Mukesh Ambani, has amassed more than 128 million subscribers since its launch last year, by offering free voice and cut-price data for months.(more)

Airtel unveils fresh packs to counter Jio heat

Days after Reliance Jio extended its free services, mobile operator Bharti Airtel today came out with two prepaid offerings, including a Rs 145 pack, that will offer free unlimited local/STD calls along with 4G data.

While Airtel's Rs 145 pack offers 300 MB 4G data along with free unlimited Airtel-to-Airtel local/STD calls, its Rs 345 pack offers unlimited free local/STD calls to any network in India and 1GB 4G data.

Both packs have a validity of 28 days and are available for customers across the country.

Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio -- which garnered 52 million customer base in the first three months of 4G launch -- recently announced extension of free domestic voice calls and data till March 31, 2017. Even after March, the company would offer free calls for life to its 4G customers.

Industry watchers are of the view that extension of free services by Reliance Jio will add to the woes of the industry which is already reeling under Rs 4,25,000-crore debt.

Ajai Puri, Director - Market Operations (India and South Asia), Bharti Airtel said, "This is another initiative from us to bring innovative bundle offers to our customers in line with our endeavour to provide the great value backed by a superior network experience."

Besides free calls on same network, the Rs 145 pack offers 300 MB data to customers who have 4G-enabled mobile phone, and 50 MB data to customers with handsets suited for web surfing and accessing light social media applications. Read more.

Aamir to partner Maharashtra govt

Aamir Khan and his wife Kiran Rao have launched the Paani Foundation, which will partner the Maharashtra government in its efforts to communicate and educate people at the grass root level about water conservation and watershed management. The foundation and the government announced the first initiative called the Satyamev Jayate Water Cup, a competition to popularise water conservation and watershed management in the rural areas of the state.

The 4G era: Will it change the game for media firms?

The data party just began. Earlier this month, Vodafone launched its 4Gservice in Kerala. This Sunday, Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance Industries launched Lyf, its 4G-enabled phone, and its Jio 4G services - only for employees currently. A full commercial launch is due in end March or early April 2016. Just before Jio, came Idea. Airtel and Aircel have already launched their 4G services.

4G, or LTE as it is called globally, compresses huge amounts of data making it easier to transport it over the airwaves. This means “better speeds and, therefore, more video consumption. And anything that pushes up video consumption is good for us,” says Sudhanshu Vats, group CEO, Viacom18 Media.

That is an understatement. 4G, say analysts, is the single biggest game changer in the Rs 100,000-crore market for media and entertainment in India. Largely because it could trigger massive consumption of mobile video, expanding the market for everything - from films and music to newspapers and TV shows. And because it brings the big boys, the telecom and broadband network operators, back into the media game.