Indian operator Reliance Jio Infocomm is aiming to extend broadband services to 900 cities and towns across the country using optical fibre (FTTx).
Jio Infocomm has not stipulated a timeframe, but has stated that the services would complement its planned 4G rollout. The operator won both TD-LTE and FD-LTE spectrum in the most recent round of auctions, and while it intends to launch 4G services in September, the relative absence of budget LTE-ready devices could be an issue to adoption.
That said, the company’s planned use of fibre to deliver seamless broadband should reduce its dependence of 4G spectrum. The firm has extensively planned the infrastructure deployments needed to get the project underway across the country.
Reliance Jio will use its 4G network to offer data and VoLTE services, and is currently finalising partnerships with vendors to offer compatible devices affordably. Currently, the operator offers free Wi-Fi in various locations around Ahmedabad, Baroda and Surat.
The operator also holds 2G spectrum in the 1800MHz band which can be used for 4G services. By using an integrated ecosystem, Reliance Jio plans to offer seamless 4G via both the FDD and TDD strains, using 1800MHz spectrum for the former and 2300MHz for the latter.
