Reliance Jio, the multi-billion dollar telecom venture of Reliance Industries, is finally opening up its network to all users. The launch was announced at the Reliance AGM by Chairman Mukesh Ambani on Thursday, who said anyone can now get a Jio SIM, adding the network will be free to use for all until December 31.
(Also see: Reliance Jio Plans List, Including Ones Mukesh Ambani Didn't Show on Stage)
There's a lot more to more to Reliance Jio than just cheaper data access though, and here's everything you should know about the network:
1. Reliance Jio is 4G only
The Reliance Jio network is running entirely on 4G - not "mostly 2G, sometimes 3G, and once-in-a-while 4G," Ambani said, taking a dig at other networks. To access the network, you need a 4G compatible phone with VoLTE support. Reliance Retail's lineup of Lyf phones offer a low cost option, starting from Rs. 2,999, though you can buy any phone that supports VoLTE and use it.
If you are not ready to move away from your current phone, you can buy the JioFi portable Wi-Fi hotspot at Rs. 1,999 and take advantage of Jio's plans as long as your phone supports Wi-Fi.
(Also see: Reliance JioFi Device - How to Buy, Price, Plans, and Everything You Need to Know)
2. 100 percent VoLTE
Reliance Jio is also a 100 percent VoLTE network - the largest in the world, according to Ambani. VoLTE stands for Voice over LTE, by which you make voice calls over the data network. As an end user, nothing is really different - you still dial a number just like you always would, and during the preview offer at least, connections have been clear and reliable. But at the backend, even voice calls use data, compared to non-VoLTE networks, that treat data and voice differently.
(Also see: Reliance Jio SIM Available to Everyone From September 5, Free to Use Till December 31)
3. Everything is free till January 1, 2017
Although Reliance Jio plans were revealed on Thursday, everything is going to be completely free for users until December 31, 2016. Jio's data, voice, and video along with the full bouquet of applications and content will be available fully free for everyone, until the end of the year. Ambani called this Jio's Welcome Offer, which will enable everyone to try out Jio without spending any money. This will also allow users to get comfortable with the various applications that Jio is offering, and Jio will use this period to test interconnections with other operators and to get feedback from customers.
4. 18,000 cities and 2 lakh villages
Jio's a new network, but its reach is already pretty wide - according to Ambani, the Reliance Jio network already covers 18,000 cities and towns, and over 2 lakh villages.
5. To cover 90 percent of India by March 2017
Although it is already covering a large number of cities and villages, that doesn't mean that Jio's rollout has completed yet. It still has some ways to go to cover all of India, and the next target is to reach 90 percent of the population by March 2017, Ambani added.
Read More at http://m.gadgets.ndtv.com/telecom/featur...ow-1453256
(Also see: Reliance Jio Plans List, Including Ones Mukesh Ambani Didn't Show on Stage)
There's a lot more to more to Reliance Jio than just cheaper data access though, and here's everything you should know about the network:
1. Reliance Jio is 4G only
The Reliance Jio network is running entirely on 4G - not "mostly 2G, sometimes 3G, and once-in-a-while 4G," Ambani said, taking a dig at other networks. To access the network, you need a 4G compatible phone with VoLTE support. Reliance Retail's lineup of Lyf phones offer a low cost option, starting from Rs. 2,999, though you can buy any phone that supports VoLTE and use it.
If you are not ready to move away from your current phone, you can buy the JioFi portable Wi-Fi hotspot at Rs. 1,999 and take advantage of Jio's plans as long as your phone supports Wi-Fi.
(Also see: Reliance JioFi Device - How to Buy, Price, Plans, and Everything You Need to Know)
2. 100 percent VoLTE
Reliance Jio is also a 100 percent VoLTE network - the largest in the world, according to Ambani. VoLTE stands for Voice over LTE, by which you make voice calls over the data network. As an end user, nothing is really different - you still dial a number just like you always would, and during the preview offer at least, connections have been clear and reliable. But at the backend, even voice calls use data, compared to non-VoLTE networks, that treat data and voice differently.
(Also see: Reliance Jio SIM Available to Everyone From September 5, Free to Use Till December 31)
3. Everything is free till January 1, 2017
Although Reliance Jio plans were revealed on Thursday, everything is going to be completely free for users until December 31, 2016. Jio's data, voice, and video along with the full bouquet of applications and content will be available fully free for everyone, until the end of the year. Ambani called this Jio's Welcome Offer, which will enable everyone to try out Jio without spending any money. This will also allow users to get comfortable with the various applications that Jio is offering, and Jio will use this period to test interconnections with other operators and to get feedback from customers.
4. 18,000 cities and 2 lakh villages
Jio's a new network, but its reach is already pretty wide - according to Ambani, the Reliance Jio network already covers 18,000 cities and towns, and over 2 lakh villages.
5. To cover 90 percent of India by March 2017
Although it is already covering a large number of cities and villages, that doesn't mean that Jio's rollout has completed yet. It still has some ways to go to cover all of India, and the next target is to reach 90 percent of the population by March 2017, Ambani added.
Read More at http://m.gadgets.ndtv.com/telecom/featur...ow-1453256