Reliance Jio is preparing to launch a range of 4G smartphones in the second week of September, it emerged this week.
According to a report on Wednesday by the Business Standard, the devices will cost between 5,000 and 25,000 rupees (€68-€342), and will be voice over LTE (VoLTE) enabled. Mobile broadband dongles will also go on sale.
This is more than the sub-INR4,000 price tag mooted by local press reports in June.
The smartphones will be sold by ReConnect, the consumer electronics brand of Reliance Retail, which is owned by Reliance Jio’s parent Reliance Industries.
The Business Standard reported that the launch of Reliance Jio’s own range of handsets is a precursor to launching a pilot 4G service.
"Over the next few months, we will initiate an extensive beta launch involving millions of friendly customers across all our markets," said Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani, in the report.
Reliance Jio is under pressure to launch commercial services.
Under the terms of its 2010 spectrum award, the te lco is required to meet certain rollout conditions within five years.
However, this June, Reliance Jio pushed back its commercial 4G launch until December, so it will likely face censure from India’s telco authorities.
