Reliance Jio Infocomm, a subsidiary of RIL, today said over half a million users – including RIL group employees, partners, vendors and associates – are using its 4G network.
The 4G network operator announced the trial on 28 December 2015. Reliance Jio aims to expand the trial to others in the ecosystem in the future.
“The initial feedback is very encouraging and has established smooth operations of all aspects of the network. All the digital applications have also been tested extensively as part of the employee launch program,” said Reliance Jio.
The average monthly consumption per user is in excess of 18GB within the first month of service and is increasing rapidly. Average voice usage is over 250 minutes within the first month. Reliance Jio will expand the trial program into commercial operations in coming months.
Recently Reliance Jio issued and allotted 1,500 crore equity shares of Rs 10 each, at par, to Reliance Industries, its holding company.
Reliance Jio will be offering fixed and wireless broadband connectivity offering superior voice and data services on an all-IP network.
Reliance Jio will have one of the most comprehensive Video networks in the world. LTE, FTTH and Wi-Fi will make high speed broadband access widely available to customers across India.
Reliance Jio holds 751.10 MHz of liberalised spectrum across the 800MHz, 1800MHz and 2300MHz bands.
In addition, Reliance Jio has agreements with RCOM for change in spectrum allotment in 800MHz band from RCOM to RJIL across 9 circles and sharing of spectrum in the 800MHz band across 17 circles. Reliance Jio will have pan-India spectrum in the 800MHz band in addition to 2300MHz band. Only RJIL is using sub-GHz spectrum band for LTE services in the country today.
Mukesh Ambani-promoted Reliance Jio Infocomm is expected to launch 4G services on commercial basis this year. It received the first slot of spectrum — BWA — way back in 2011. Due to lack of devices and proper policy in place, Reliance Jio Infocomm could not launch the much-awaited 4G services, prompting several analyst firms to predict that Reliance 4G will not eat into the revenue share of Bharti Airtel.
Bharti Airtel is currently expanding 4G services after acquiring 4G spectrum from Videocon Telecom and Aircel. The Sunil Mittal promoted Bharti Airtel has both 3G and 4G spectrum. The year 2016 will see tough competition between two Indian telecom companies looking for market share.
Reliance Jio Infocomm, though announced several service related initiatives, never disclosed the full list of its equipment partners for the 4G network roll out. The Indian telecom industry believes that Samsung has received a large chunk of the 4G equipment business.