Reliance Jio is planning to commercially launch 4G services in the second quarter of 2016 to take advantage of the momentum built during employee launch. First, on the eve of the 83rd birth anniversary of founder chairman Dhirubhai Ambani, Reliance Jio did employee launch of 4G services to deliver hi-speed connectivity to its 1 lakh-plus employees and their families. The star-studded event, which featured Shah Rukh Khan and Academy-winning music director AR Rahman created a lot of buzz and the company wants to ride on this momentum. Further delay of commercial launch will be detrimental for Reliance Jio as the momentum of 4G services will subside.
Secondly, it’s more than 90 days since Reliance Jio conducted employee launch of 4G services. The company has got enough feedback with respect to network, IT and applications usage. We believe, Reliance Jio would have corrected all problems related to network, IT and applications, giving the company an edge over its competitors who are more focused on providing coverage but still has a long way to go with respect to providing good quality 4G services. On the other hand, Mukesh Ambani’s 4G focus is on co-creating the best experience for its customers and then the customers spreading the word among friends and relatives helping Reliance Jio to leverage on its 4G network quality.
Third, Reliance Retail has already procured a large number of 4G VoLTE smart phones from different ODM players for its LYF brand. With product life cycle of smart phones varying between 6-9 months there is no point in delaying the commercial launch to third or fourth quarter of 2016 thereby letting go the advantage it has due to the handset eco-system and procurement of 4G VoLTE smart phones. Fourth, Reliance Jio 4G competitors like Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular have already launched 4G services in majority of their circles and now the focus is on improving its 4G services as well as increasing its coverage in all the cities within its operating circle. The delay of Reliance Jio’s commercial launch of 4G services will give lot of cheer to Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular for further improving its 4G quality of service.
What services have these operators improved? My idea 4G connection is always working show E. I.e., 2G. And this on a new 4G phone with 3 GB RAM and snapdragon 615 processor.