Jio 5G recharge plan prices will be affordable, no need to change SIM card: report

A Jio executive told ET Telecom that there is no need to change your existing Jio SIM card to get 5G services. Instead, it will be an opt-in option and customers will be automatically upgraded to 5G network. Jio says that its 5G service is an upgradable technology and it will convert existing 4G towers to 5G.

Jio 5G recharge plans will be the most affordable

A top Jio executive who wishes to remain anonymous has clarified that Jio recharge packs will be the most affordable and 5G services will be an opt-in option. He further mentioned that smartphones/tablets that have 5G support will automatically display Jio’s 5G network availability. Jio has chalked about plans to start rolling out the 5G services in select cities from Diwali and complete the pan India roll out by December 2023.

Smartphones/tablets that have 5G support will automatically display Jio’s 5G network availability.

Jio, a part of oil to retail conglomerate Reliance Industries said that by deploying radio on top of existing 4G towers, a core network can be created and would eventually switch to next-generation technology. In September 2016, Jio disrupted India’s telecom market by foraying into 4G commercial services on the back of freebies. “We took a call on 4G-VoLTE in 2016. We deployed after perfecting the network and device side. It requires competency, courage, and confidence,” the Jio executive said.

Now that Jio has clarified that its 5G plan prices will be affordable, we suspect Airtel and Vi will also price their plans similar to Jio in order to sustain the competition and not lose subscribers. According to TRAI’s recent report, Jio currently has around 415.96 million subscribers, while Airtel and Vi have 217.13 million and 122.97 million subscribers, respectively. Jio has invested big (around Rs 39,270 crores) in the 700Hz airwaves and this should offer good network strength, long coverage, and deep indoor capability.