India’s Jio explores alliances with global SIs and SaaS firms for 5G launch

SaaS Jio
Image by alexdndz | Bigstockphoto

Reliance Jio has started exploring partnerships with global system integrators and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) providers for its 5G network in India, which is expected to go live six months after the spectrum auction next year.

The telecom operator plans to launch 5G new radio (NR) at scale when spectrum is commercially available with its indigenous 5G technology stack.

Jio, in its quarterly results presentation, said that it is exploring partnerships for offering pre-integrated solutions which can leverage the 5G stack to deliver end-to-end service for customers. “Jio is actively trialling 5G use cases and exploring partnerships with global system integrators and SaaS providers to deliver 5G services. Jio 5G solutions have achieved a single-user peak throughput of 1.5 Gbps in field trials,” it further added.

Jio is actively trialling 5G use cases using spectrum in both mid and mm-wave bands. “We are actively trialling 5G use cases ranging from AR/VR, Low-latency Cloud Gaming, Network Slicing and Multi-tenancy for video delivery, TV streaming, Video Chat and Connected Hospital,” it said in its earnings presentation.

“Jio 5G field trials have started at various locations with competitive position and capabilities comparable to global Tier1 vendors,” it said, adding that its comprehensive homegrown 5G stack for both Radio (5G NR) and Core Network (5G CN) are compliant to the latest standards.

With recent capacity addition on the network, Jio reported improved network experience and added capacity to add 200 million subscribers. “In addition, its imminent launch of the JioPhone Next can further accelerate share gains and upgrades from feature phones to smartphones. Jio plans to launch 5G NR at scale when spectrum is available with in-house tech stack,” JP Morgan said in a note.

The Mukesh Ambani-led telecom operator said it has also entered into partnerships with “leading automobile OEMs in both two-wheeler and four-wheeler segments” to provide automotive solutions for both consumer and enterprise services.

The telecom operator had recently entered into a partnership with carmaker MG Motor India to power the next midsized SUV with its Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.

“Jio’s new-age connected vehicle solution is a combination of hardware, software and connectivity that will enable users to access trending infotainment and real-time telematics on the go as it brings the benefits of digital life to a vehicle and to people on the move,” the company said in a statement.

Jio’s fiscal second-quarter net profit rose to Rs 3,528 crore ($476.76 million) from Rs3,501 crore ($473.11 million) in the fiscal first quarter and from Rs2,844 ($384.32 million) a year ago. Revenue also rose to Rs 18,735 crore ($2.53 billion) from Rs 17,994 crore ($2.43 billion) in the previous quarter and from Rs 17,481 crore ($2.36 billion) a year ago.

Jio’s average wireless data consumption per user per month rose to 17.6 GB from 15.6 GB in the fiscal first quarter. Average voice consumption also rose to 840 minutes per user per month from 818 minutes in the previous quarter.

Jio’s average revenue per user (ARPU) grew sequentially to Rs 143.6 ($1.91) from Rs 138.4 ($1.84) in the previous quarter, “with improving subscriber mix and increased customer engagement levels”.

Related article: Intel, Reliance Jio to develop 5G ‘co-innovations’ networking technology

Be the first to comment

What do you think?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.