July 3rd, Srinagar: Jio hastened the rollout of the ‘Jio Bharat’ phone platform, ushering in a new age and making India a ‘2G-Mukt Bharat.
A beta test of the first million Jio Bharat phones will begin on July 7, 2023, according a Jio press release; this will test the platform’s scalability in preparation for the eventual migration of millions of customers from feature phones. It will be implemented in 6,500 different tehsils.
Since consumers in this demographic cannot generally buy smartphones, incumbent carriers often take advantage of them. These people not only have trouble affording internet services, but they also face barriers to entry.
The Chairman of Reliance Jio, Akash Ambani, made the following statement: “There are still 250 million mobile phone users in India who remain ‘stuck’ in the 2G era, unable to access into fundamental functions of the internet at a time when the globe sits on the edge of a 5G revolution.
There are still 250 million people in India who use feature phones from the 2G era. When access to technology is a need that improves one’s livelihood and economic well-being, the lack of internet connectivity on these feature phones is particularly frustrating.
When Jio was first introduced six years ago, we said that we would do all in our power to make the internet accessible to all Indians and spread the advantages of technology to all of our country’s citizens. The exclusive use of technology would end, he promised.
Other telecom companies have recently doubled the minimum payment to remain connected, making the digital disempowerment and inequity experienced by feature phone customers even more severe. The price of Rs 199 for 30 days of basic voice services is more than the previous price of Rs 99.
The other operator’s package for voice calls and 2GB data costs Rs 179 per month, whereas the new plan is Rs 123 per month for unlimited phone calls and 14GB data.
