Reliance Jio, Micromax consortium bags smartphones deal in Chhattisgarh

A consortium led by Reliance Jio and Micromax plans to supply the smartphones for the Chhattisgarh government’s ambitious scheme aimed to bridge the digital divide.

Under the Sanchar Kranti Yojana (SKY) scheme that was launched last week, the state government would distribute smartphones to 5 million eligible beneficiaries. Besides college students, women staying in the rural areas and families living below the poverty line (BPL) in the urban areas would also get the smartphones.

Reliance Jio Micromax and Lava Airtel consortium participated in the tender floated by Chhattisgarh Infotech Promotion Society (CHIPS) thrice when first two attempts failed. “The consortium led by Reliance Jio and Micromax emerged as the lowest bidder and had been awarded the contract to supply smartphones for the scheme,” CHIPS officials said.

The company would provide handset for Rs 2,509.92 that was cheapest when compared to the price of same features model available in the market, they said. The state government had set a target to distribute the smartphones in the next four months.

Headcount at RCom down 94% to 3,400 from peak of 52,000 in 2008-12

Debt-ridden Reliance Communications on Wednesday said that the total number of jobs at the company have been reduced by about 94 per cent to 3,400 at present, from a peak level of 52,000. "Total number of people in the RCOM group: from peak of approximately 52,000 to current 3,400, a reduction of approximately 94 per cent," RCom said in a BSE filing on Wednesday. 

The company is estimated to be at peak in around 2008-10. RCom, which is reeling under debt of around Rs 450 billion, closed its mobile services business in January this year and continues to provide business-to-business (B2B) telecom services.

Reliance Jio's Republic Day offer: Now get 50% more data, pay Rs 50 less

Stepping up the tariff war, Reliance Jio has decided to offer 500 MB extra data to its subscribers using 1GB and 1.5GB per day data packs with effect from January 26, according to company sources.
Besides, the telco as part of its 'Republic Day offer' will double the validity of Rs 98 pack to 28 days from the current 14 days from January 26 onwards, they said.
"Jio will always offer more value to its customers, and offer Rs 50 lower price than competition and 50 per cent more data on its plans.

As part of Republic Day offer, all existing 1 GB per day packs enhanced to 1.5 GB per day, 1.5 GB per day packs enhanced to 2 GB per day," sources said.
Bharti Airtel had recently introduced Rs 399 plan offering unlimited calls and 1GB 4G data daily with 84 days validity.
With this new offer, Jio's flagship Rs 399 plan will provide free voice, unlimited 4G data with 1.5 GB daily, unlimited SMS and premium subscription to Jio Apps for 84 days.
The Rs 98 pack at present offers 2.1 GB data at 4G speed and thereafter speed drops to 64 kilobits per second with 14 days validity.
According to Bharti Airtel MD and CEO, India & South Asia, Gopal Vittal, the battle among telecom operators is now for market share and the pressure on tariff will continue for some time even though it is at an unsustainable level at present.
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Jio phone: 6 million units booked, delivery to start during Navratri

Around 6 million units of JioPhone were booked within three days of its pre-booking that started on August 24, says a channel partner of Reliance Retail.

The delivery of the "effectively free" JioPhone is being planned to start during Navratri festival beginning September 21, the partner said.

"The pre-booking of JioPhone was put on hold after 6 million units were booked within first three days. We have been told by the company that the deliveries of JioPhone will start during Navratri," the channel partner, who asked not to be named, told PTI.

E-mails sent to Reliance Jio and Reliance Retail did not elicit any response.

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, in his previous annual general meeting speech, had said the company plans to sell 5 million JioPhones every week.

The pre-booking of JioPhones started on August 24 against payment of a refundable deposit of Rs 500 and the remainder Rs 1,000 has to be paid by the customer when the company starts delivering them in September.

Ambani had announced that the total amount will be refunded after 36 months when the customer returns the phone.
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Jio effect: Govt panel to give views on telcos' financial woes in 3 months

An inter-ministerial panel being constituted to suggest a policy prescription for the failing financial health of the telecom sector will consult banks and operators before finalising its views in three months.

The committee is expected to have representation from the Departments of Economic Affairs, Revenue and Financial Services, besides the Telecom Department, an official familiar with the matter told PTI.

The panel is expected to finalise its recommendations in the next three months.

Some of the recommendations could be placed before the Telecom Commission — the highest policy-making body in the Telecom Department — for an approval. For the other proposals mooted by the panel, a Cabinet go-ahead may be necessary.

"The internal plan is that the views of banks, telecom operators and also the large investors in the sector will be sought," the official said.

The Department of Telecom is attaching top priority to the issue, the official said adding that the first meeting of the panel members is likely to be held this month itself.

The extent of financial stress in the telecom sector can well be gauged from the fact that the industry has a debt of Rs 4.6 lakh crore.

The sector has been under severe pressure since the entry of newcomer Reliance Jio, last year.

In September 2016, billionaire Mukesh Ambani's venture Jio stormed into the Indian telecom market (incidentally, the second largest market globally with 1.2 billion subscribers) with free voice and data services, forcing established operators to slash rates to protect their turf.

This put revenue and profitability of all telcos under severe pressure, although subscribers benefited from attractive data and voice packs.

Even after launching its paid services post-March 2017, Jio continues to be aggressive, offering data at rock-bottom prices while voice calls are free.
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Idea launches 1GB 4G data/day plan for post-paid users at Rs 300/month

To match aggressive tariffs of newcomer Jio, Idea Cellular on Friday launched a plan offering 1GB of 4G data per day for Rs 300 a month to post paid customers.

Idea said it will offer "1GB data per day, for a month, on 4G handsets".

"The new Idea pack can be availed by all post paid customers on limited rental plans of Rs 199 and above," it said in a statement.

Post paid users will have to pay Rs 300 a month to avail the data benefits which are valid till March 2018.

However, for first three months, customers paying monthly rental between Rs 199 and Rs 349 will need to pay only Rs 200 extra, while customers paying rental in the range of Rs 349 to Rs 498 will need to pay Rs 50 extra, Idea said.

Customers paying rental of over Rs 499 can avail the offer for free for the first three months of subscribing the service, it said in a release.

After three months, all customers eligible for the scheme will have to pay extra Rs 300 for continuing the benefit till March 2018.

All telecom operators in the country are trying to match low tariffs that new entrant Reliance Jio is offering from April 1. The lowest value plan from Reliance Jio under its special scheme, Prime, will offer 1GB of 4G data everyday and unlimited calling for Rs 303 a month.

While Reliance Jio's last date to avail the offer ends today, Idea has given time till April 30 for subscribing to its new scheme.

"The package has been designed to catalyse data usage amongst existing customers and to attract more postpaid customers to the Idea network," Idea Cellular Chief Marketing Officer Sashi Shankar said. (READ MORE)