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With Reliance Jio expected to announce its launch details on Thursday, rival mobile operators are in overdrive to retain subscribers. Airtel on Wednesday said it will offer up to 135 Mbps speed on its 4G network in Mumbai. The operator had earlier announced two new tariff plans that offered users data access at discounted rates.
Vodafone, meanwhile, has also announced new tariff plans that give more data access to users.
All this comes ahead of the Annual General Meeting of Reliance Industries, where Chairman Mukesh Ambani is expected to give details of his telecom business.
The build-upRIL had acquired a telecom licence and spectrum in 2010, and has been planning its network and tariff plans, aimed at disrupting the market. It has already launched a trial programme wherein users can get a connection bundled with a 4G phone. However, the company will announce its full-fledged launch date on Thursday, according to industry sources. “We expect the company to give a concrete plan as to when the commercial launch will happen and when consumers can start buying an RJio SIM card. We also expect some indication of tariffs,” said an industry source.
As of now, Reliance Jio services are being given for free under the trial scheme. “The company could start charging for data and voice from October. There could be a one-month free trial even after the commercial launch, for all new subscribers,” said another industry source.
Disruption watchThe launch details are being awaited by the market and analysts to know how much the company could disrupt existing operators’ business.
Incumbent players have already announced a slew of initiatives over the past few months as a pre-emptive move. “The telecom market will be simmering for the next 3-4 months as operators will respond to any offers and tariffs by RJio that are seen to be disruptive. That’s good news for consumers, who have been bereft of real competition for several years, after the 2G scam made many new players exit,” said an industry expert.
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