We’re getting closer to the official launch of Reliance Jio’s wired broadband internet service, which according to reports could be announced on 12 August. This has been mentioned via sources quoted in this The Hindu report, which points out that Reliance will be holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the same day.
This event is usually the platform where Reliance makes big announcements, including Jio mobile service as well as the JioPhone device, presided over by the company chairman, Mukesh Ambani.
The details of the report look accurate, as the company in its recent media statement highlighted that the ‘ongoing beta trials of JioGigaFiber services is in its final stages’ which suggests that official launch of the broadband service from Jio is imminent.
The report also points out that Jio GigaFiber will be made available along with the entertainment and smart home (IoT) solutions.
Jio GigaFiber has been made available in select regions for now, but if Jio intends to meet the target of reaching 1100 cities, set by Chairman Mukesh Ambani, it’s high time the company makes its service official, by revealed prices and its availability.
The company is hoping to sign up over 50 million users in the first phase of the rollout, mainly focusing on the top 15 cities.
Beta trials of JioGigaFiber services have been very successful and the entire bouquet of smart home solutions would soon be rolled out to targeted 50 million households and beyond.Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries Limited
For now, here’s a quick round up of everything we know about what Jio GigaFiber will offer to the consumers.
How Much Will it Cost?
According to a report from Livemint earlier this year, Jio will be offering these as a bundled service for Rs 600 per month. The same report also said that the service will be added in the next three months, and will be offered at free of cost for one year.
Having said that, you still have to spend big on getting the Jio GigaFiber router which will cost Rs 4,500 as the security deposit to get the service working.
But if you don’t want high-speed internet (1Gbps transfer/download speeds), then Jio is reportedly also offering another plan with minimum security deposit of Rs 2,500 which will provide you with 50Mbps internet speed.
What Will You Get With Jio GigaFiber?
In addition to broadband internet, Jio is likely to bundle TV service for consumers at the aforementioned cost.
The TV service is reportedly going to be based on Internet Protocol technology, similar to Airtel’s Digital TV network available to consumers for the past couple of the years.
The telco intends to offer 600 TV channels, landline connection and 100Mbps broadband service for just Rs 600. It’s unlikely to end with just being an internet-cum-tv service, with smart home applications, including storage of CCTV recordings on cloud also expected to be offered but at an additional cost.
It’ll be interesting to see if the lure of free data, with a minimal deposit for the device (router) can attract millions of broadband internet users to switch to Jio’s service, which is looking to repeat its success formula from the mobile sector.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)