Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio, the market leader in India’s telecom sector, boasting the highest number of subscribers, had pioneered cheap 4G feature phones, launching the highly-popular Jio Phone, shortly after the launch of its 4G network back in 2016.
In another major move by Reliance Industries Chairman, Mukesh Ambani, his telecom company, Reliance Jio is planning to bring a cheap 5G smartphone in the Indian market, specifically targeted towards its subscribers. According to reports, Reliance Jio, India’s largest telecom service provider, is working with major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and also considering working with US chipmaker Qualcomm, to make a cheap 5G smartphone for its users.
“Reliance Jio is working with all smartphone companies. Work is also being done on device manufacturing and partner brands, apart from methods to improve our 5G smartphone network,” said Jio Vice-President, Sunil Dutt.
Dutt also revealed that Jio has also collaborated with Qualcomm as the company plans to bring a a cheap 5G smartphone to the Indian market. “We are preparing to bring a cheap device for our customers. This is the reason why we are working with Qualcomm and other OEMs. The device will make it easier for our customers to get a better network at a lower price.”
Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio, the market leader in India’s telecom sector, boasting the highest number of subscribers, had pioneered cheap 4G feature phones, launching the highly-popular Jio Phone, shortly after the launch of its 4G network back in 2016.
“Many users switched from 2G to 4G network because of the Jio Phone, which was available almost at the same price as a regular 2G phone, costing just Rs 999. It was also easy to recharge as you had pay just Rs 123 per month,” Dutt noted, adding that Jio has sold over 135 million units of Jio Phone till date.
With plans to launch a cheap 5G smartphone, Jio hopes to replicate the success of its Jio Phone, by penetrating rural and semi-rural areas of the country, and expanding already massive 5G network across the country.