Reliance Jio launched an affordable 4G feature phone in a move to gain more subscribers from remote locations in India to its digital services.
The operator unveiled the entry-level Jio Bharat phone priced at INR999 which Jio claimed is the lowest price for an internet-enabled phone. A beta trial for the first one million Jio Bharat phones will begin on July 7.
Jio claimed with the Jio Bharat, it offers up to seven times more data and minutes compared to rivals while being 30% more affordable. Jio’s closest rivals are Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea.
In a statement, Reliance Jio chairman Akash Ambani: "There are still 250 million mobile phone users in India who remain ‘trapped’ in the 2G era, unable to tap into basic features of the internet at a time when the world stands at the cusp of a 5G revolution.”
Reliance Jio said in its statement that rivals are “increasing the minimum price to stay connected by more than twice”, claiming basic voice services have increased from INR99 (US$1.20) to INR199.
Rumours have also circulated that Reliance Jio is planning to launch an affordable 5G device later this year.
