Nationwide Network Outage Affects Millions of Jio Users
In a significant disruption, Reliance Jio Infocomm, India's largest telecom provider, experienced a nationwide network outage on September 17, 2024. The outage, attributed to a fire at one of Jio’s data centers, impacted millions of users across India, affecting both mobile and broadband services.
According to reports, the fire was quickly contained, and operations resumed shortly thereafter. However, the incident led to widespread service disruptions, with over 10,000 users reporting issues on Downdetector, a platform that tracks outages. More than half of the affected users faced issues related to their mobile network services, while others reported problems with mobile internet and broadband.
Robust 5G Expansion and User Base
Despite the recent outage, Reliance Jio has been making strides in its 5G network expansion. As of June 2024, Jio boasts nearly 489 million subscribers, with over 130 million of them using its 5G services. Jio currently operates more than 85% of the 5G radio cells in India.
Jio completed its pan-India rollout of the True5G network in record time and now carries almost 30% of Jio’s mobility data traffic on its 5G network. The company also commands 60% of India’s data traffic, highlighting its dominant position in the telecommunications sector.
Investment in 5G Infrastructure
To further enhance its 5G coverage, Jio, along with rival Bharti Airtel, is planning to invest approximately $2 billion in additional 5G network equipment. This investment will focus on expanding their next-gen mobile broadband coverage, with major vendors like Ericsson, Nokia, and Samsung expected to handle the bulk of the new 5G base station needs.
New Subscription Plan with Unlimited 5G
In a move to attract more subscribers, Reliance Jio has launched a new 98-day plan that offers unlimited 5G access, along with other benefits. Available for both prepaid and postpaid users, this plan costs ₹999 and includes 2GB daily data at 4G and 5G speeds, unlimited voice calling, 100 daily SMS, and free nationwide roaming.
Subscribers to this plan will also gain access to Jio Cloud, Jio Cinema, and JioTV, making it an attractive option for those seeking long validity and comprehensive benefits. Users can recharge with this plan through the MyJio app, Jio’s website, or through an authorized retailer.
Financial Performance and Market Impact
Reliance Jio's digital services have seen significant growth, with an 11% increase in revenue to $15.9 billion and a 12.7% increase in EBITDA to $6.8 billion in the financial year 2023-24. The company's JioAirFiber wireless broadband service has also been well-received, with 12 million subscribers across 5,900 cities and towns in India.
The recent tariff hikes of 11-25% have bolstered Jio’s financial efficiency, allowing the company to focus on scaling its user base and exploring new revenue streams. With its robust 5G network and innovative subscription plans, Jio continues to lead the telecommunications market in India.
In conclusion, despite the recent network outage, Reliance Jio remains at the forefront of 5G technology in India, with a strong focus on expanding its network, enhancing user experience, and offering competitive subscription plans.
