Reliance Jio has made an announcement regarding the launch of Jio Bharat Phone, an affordable phone designed to offer internet capabilities to feature phone users in India, as reported by sources. The phone is priced at Rs 999, with the objective of targeting the existing market of approximately 250 million feature phone users in the country, providing them access to internet-enabled services.

The introduction of the Jio Bharat platform will not only facilitate the availability of Internet features but also deliver a range of digital services on entry-level phones. Furthermore, in collaboration with Reliance Retail, other phone brands, starting with Karbonn, are expected to adopt the Jio Bharat platform to develop Jio Bharat phones.

To initiate the beta trial phase, the first 1 million Jio Bharat phones will be made available from July 7. The trial will encompass 6,500 tehsils across the country, focusing on upgrading feature phone users and enhancing their digital experience.

Jio Bharat Phone subscribers will have access to the affordable Jio Bharat Phone plan, priced at just Rs 123 per month. This plan offers unlimited voice calls and a generous data allowance of 14 GB (0.5GB per day). According to Jio, this plan represents a 30% reduction in monthly costs compared to feature phone offerings from other operators, while providing 7 times more data.

Moreover, Reliance Jio is introducing Annual Plans for Jio Bharat Phone, allowing users to avail themselves of a comprehensive package at Rs 1,234, providing a substantial data allocation of 168GB (0.5GB per day) in addition to unlimited calling.

Chairman of Reliance Jio, Akash Ambani, emphasized the underlying mission of Jio Bharat Phone. He stated that despite the advancements in technology, there are still around 250 million mobile phone users in India who remain confined to the limitations of 2G technology. Ambani reiterated Jio's commitment to democratizing internet access and extending the benefits of technology to every Indian.

He also emphasized the company's dedication to delivering meaningful and valuable use cases for different user segments, aligning with their focus on innovation and providing substantial value to users.

Image source: The Economic Times