Reliance’s Jio Platforms has launched a new handset and tariff plans, the latest in a series of efforts from the top Indian telecom operator as it races to reach consumers still “trapped” in 2G networks.
The new handset, called the Jio Bharat, supports 4G network, UPI payments as well as access to on-demand video and streaming services JioCinema and JioSaavn, Reliance said in a statement Monday.
The phone is priced at 999 Indian rupees, or $12.2. The company has launched a new tariff plan that costs 123 Indian rupees, or $1.5 a month, that enables 14GB of data usage for the month and unlimited voice calls.
Reliance said it will start offering the Jio Bharat to consumers starting July 7 as part of a “beta trial.” It said the trial is put in place to “ensure scalability of platform and processes for upgrading millions of feature phone users.”
“The new Jio Bharat phone is another step in that direction. It is at the centre of innovation, and it continues to demonstrate our focus on bringing disproportionate and true value for different segments of users with meaningful, real-life use cases,” said Akash Ambani, Chairman at Reliance Jio, in a statement.
More to follow.
