Deep Pocket Challenger in the Indian Telecommunications industry Mr Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Jio Infocomm is attempting to do what has not been seen before in any market and seems impossible – be a 4G LTE player without owning a legacy 2G / 3G network.
Admittedly, this is a critical aspect. We believe Jio is counting on VoLTE (voice over LTE) to get its voice product right (despite lack of legacy), but this is still an evolving technology. Though some operators (such as Verizon, SingTel, NTT DoCoMo) have launched commercial VoLTE services over the last few months, it might be too early to declare its success. Reliance Jio has the option available to it of signing 2G roaming agreements with an incumbent operator such as RCom for voice services and it appears to have done so, but the deal is not publicly announced.
Reliance Jio Infocomm for a limited preview had opened the site. However the same appears to be taken down offline. While reading through the Q&A in the support section of the website, we found the following 2 answers to potential customers’ questions,
What are the charges for Roaming within a Circle
No Charges will be applied if the customer is roaming on Jio/RCOM Network but corresponding roaming charges shall be applicable if he is on Non Jio NetworkWhat are the charges for roaming outside a Circle
No Charges will be applied if the customer is roaming on Jio/RCOM Network but corresponding roaming charges shall be applicable if he is on Non Jio Network
You can view the contention we are making here from Google Cache here.
What about Reciprocal Arrangements – Reliance Jio Offering 4G Network, Content, etc ?
It is likely possible that RCom Customers will also benefit using the underlying RJio Network wherever required. This means hectic lobbying for Spectrum & Resource Sharing Regulations that will be unveiled soon by the Government of India. Also, Reliance Jio will offer Bouquet of Entertainment Services – Jio Play [Live TV], Jio Mags [Magazines], Gaming, etc. Will Jio open the interface to RCom’s customers as well ?
Will Ambani script the Spectrum Sharing / Trading and MVNO Guidelines for the Indian Telecom Industry ?
To realize his dream of being reckoning player in the Indian Telecom industry, will Mukesh Ambani have his way in the forthcoming Spectrum Sharing / Trading and MVNO Regulations that are likely to be scripted to help the Reliance Group ? What about the Indian Telecom eco-system ? Too early to take a call but likely they will be skewed in Ambani’s favor.