Info-tech

RJio to roll out high-speed fibre broadband at ₹700 a month

Rajesh Kurup Mumbai | Updated on August 12, 2019 Published on August 12, 2019

Users to get free voice calls, bundled OTT streaming, new movies on the day of release

After disrupting the mobile services segment, Mukesh Ambani-backed Reliance Jio Infocomm (RJio) has announced the launch of its high-speed fixed-line broadband services JIOFIBER, starting September 5.

Tariffs will start at ₹700 per month for 100 Mbps speed. The plans will go up to ₹10,000 per month depending on the data plan. Full details of the tariffs will be disclosed closer to the launch date. Voice calls on the landline telephone given with the broadband connection will be free. The broadband connection will come bundled with OTT streaming video services. Users will also be able to watch movies the same day they are released in theatres through a service called First Day First Show. JIOFIBER customers who opt for the annual plans, called JIO-FOREVER plans, will get an HD OR 4K LED Television and a 4K set-top box free.

“For the first time in India, we are introducing a disruptive concept for watching new movies. Premium JIOFIBER customers will be able to watch movies in their living rooms the same day these movies are released in theatres. We plan to launch this service in the middle of 2020,” Mukesh Ambani, Chairman RJio, said.

RJio had soft-launched broadband services last year and had received interest from 15 million users. Services were started on a trial basis in five lakh homes. The service packs landline telephony, multi-party video conferencing, home security, smart home solutions, gaming and TV channels.

New engines

“We are ready to launch four new engines for RJio — Internet of Things (IoT), home broadband, enterprise broadband and broadband for SMEs. Revenues from each will start kicking in this financial year itself,” Ambani said.

RJio is expecting ₹20,000-crore revenue from its IoT platform, which will be launched from January 2020.

Last year, RJio unveiled a plan to expand its optical fibre network simultaneously across 1,100 cities. Reliance Jio has also picked up majority stake in Den and Hathway Cable to speed up the broadband roll out.