Reliance Jio to Launch $15B LEO Satellite Constellation, Challenging Starlink

Reliance Jio has formally proposed building a massive low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation of 1,600–1,650 satellites at ~650 km altitude, aiming to deliver broadband and direct-to-device (D2D) services across India and globally within 2–3 years. The project, estimated at $10–15 billion, would make Jio the first Indian entity to enter the LEO satellite race, directly competing with Starlink, Amazon Kuiper, and OneWeb.

Reliance Jio has submitted its 1,650‑satellite LEO broadband proposal to India’s space regulator, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN‑SPACe), which is currently reviewing the technical design and configuration. The government is also expected to support Jio with International Telecommunication Union (ITU) filings to secure orbital slots.

Reliance Jio’s LEO Satellite Project

Project Highlights

• Scale: 1,600–1,650 satellites planned
• Altitude: ~650 km orbit
• Timeline: Rollout targeted in 2–3 years
• Investment: $10–15 billion (₹95,000–1.42 lakh crore)
• Regulatory: Proposal submitted to IN-SPACe; ITU filings expected
• Business Unit: To be housed under Jio Platforms

Strategic Importance

• First Indian LEO initiative: Breaks foreign monopoly in satellite broadband
• National security: Reduces reliance on foreign operators
• Digital inclusion: Bridges rural connectivity gaps
• Global ambition: Positions Jio as a challenger worldwide

Jio vs Global Players

Reliance Jio	Starlink	Amazon Kuiper	OneWeb
1,600–1,650 satellites planned	~10,000 satellites operational	3,200 satellites planned (300+ launched)	~654 satellites operational
Altitude ~650 km	Altitude ~550 km	Altitude ~630 km	Altitude ~1,200 km
Rollout in 2–3 years	Already operational	Rollout by 2026–27	Operational
$10–15B investment	$10B+	$10B	$3B+
Focus: India + global	Global	Global	Global (gov & enterprise)

Risks & Challenges

• Capital intensity: Huge upfront investment with long payback cycles
• Orbital congestion: Crowded LEO environment raises collision risks
• Regulatory hurdles: Spectrum and orbital slot approvals critical
• Global competition: Starlink already dominates; Kuiper and OneWeb scaling fast

What This Means for India

• Boost to Digital India: Extends broadband to underserved areas
• Strategic autonomy: Reduces dependence on foreign satellite networks
• Industrial synergy: Complements Jio’s telecom dominance. 

As of now, Reliance Jio’s proposal is with IN‑SPACe, and the next critical step will be government‑backed ITU filings to secure orbital slots. 

Reliance Takes Aim at Space: Jio to Launch India’s Own Starlink Rival

Reliance Industries is preparing a multi‑billion‑dollar push into satellite communications via Jio Platforms, aiming to build India’s answer to Starlink with a constellation of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Mukesh Ambani is personally spearheading the project, which is already in advanced planning stages.

Key Highlights of Reliance’s Satellite Communications Entry

• Investment Scale: Multi‑billion‑dollar commitment focused on LEO satellites.
• Platform: The satellite arm will be housed under Jio Platforms (JPL).
• Leadership: Mukesh Ambani is leading the initiative, supported by senior executives.
• Project Teams: Six specialized teams are working on satellites, launches, payloads, user terminals, and regulatory filings.
• Regulatory Moves: Reliance has begun discussions with India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to file orbital slots with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
• Timeline: Targeting rollout within 2–4 years, positioning Reliance against Starlink, Amazon Kuiper, and OneWeb.

Strategic Importance

• Domestic Capability: India’s government is keen to reduce reliance on foreign satcom providers.
• Global Competition: China has filed for 200,000 satellites across multiple LEO constellations.
• Connectivity Impact: LEO satellites enable high‑speed, low‑latency internet, vital for rural and remote areas.

Comparison: Reliance vs Global Players

Company	Focus Area	Investment Scale	Target Market	Timeline
Reliance (Jio Platforms)	LEO satellites	Multi‑billion USD	India + Global	2–4 years
Starlink (SpaceX)	LEO satellites	$10B+	Global	Operational
Amazon Kuiper	LEO satellites	$10B	Global	2026–27
OneWeb (Eutelsat)	LEO satellites	$3B+	Global (gov & enterprise)	Operational

Risks & Challenges

• Regulatory hurdles: Spectrum allocation and orbital slot approvals.
• Capital intensity: Multi‑billion‑dollar upfront investment with long payback cycles.
• Global competition: Starlink already operational with thousands of satellites.
• Technology partnerships: Reliance is in talks with satellite tech firms.

What This Means for India

• Boost to Digital India: Potential to bridge the rural‑urban digital divide.
• Strategic autonomy: Reduces dependence on foreign satellite networks.
• Industrial synergy: Complements Reliance’s telecom dominance.

Jio and Allianz Forge 50:50 Insurance Venture in India

• This partnership brings together Jio Financial Services’ leading digital capabilities and distribution reach with Allianz’s global expertise in insurance to support the national vision of 'Insurance for All by 2047'.
• The joint venture will offer comprehensive and innovative protection solutions to the people and businesses of India across general and health insurance.

Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL) and Allianz Group (Allianz), through its wholly-owned subsidiary Allianz Europe B.V., today entered into a binding agreement to form a 50:50 primary insurance joint venture (JV) – covering general insurance and health insurance – to serve the rapidly expanding Indian insurance sector. The binding agreement formalizes a partnership first announced in July 2025.

This partnership will bring together two highly trusted financial services brands, recognized for their commitment to customer-centricity, to deliver innovative and accessible protection solutions tailored to the specific needs of the people and businesses of India. Customers in India will benefit from the combination of JFSL’s extensive digital reach and deep understanding of the Indian market and Allianz’s high-quality insurance products and services that reflect a distinguished history of expertise and care for protecting what matters most to people.

The JV will launch operations upon receipt of the necessary statutory and regulatory approvals. JFSL and Allianz are also working towards a separate binding agreement for life insurance business in India.

India’s strong economic progress and favourable demographics underscore the growing need for long-term financial security and inclusive protection solutions. With a young population and a rising middle-class, expanding insurance coverage is essential to strengthening the country’s long-term resilience by protecting its citizens and their assets. To meet these needs, the joint venture will aim to create a fundamentally differentiated way of designing, distributing, and delivering insurance solutions at scale in India.

For JFSL, enabling access to world-class insurance is central to its mission of empowering every Indian with simple, secure, seamless, and smart financial solutions – delivered digitally, at scale, and built around the needs of people at every income level.

Mukesh D. Ambani said:

Our Founder, Shri Dhirubhai Ambani, built Reliance on one abiding belief - that the power of the best must be made available to every Indian, not just the privileged few. Jio Financial Services is proud to carry that belief into financial services.

Insurance is not just a product, but it is the foundation upon which families build their futures with confidence and are able to pursue their ambitions without fear. 'Insurance for All by 2047' is a national mission and every institution that has been entrusted with the scale and trust of the Indian people has a duty to fulfil it. Jio Financial Services is committed to doing exactly that.

I am proud to partner with Allianz, one of the world's most respected insurance groups, across the insurance value chain as our exclusive insurance partner. I believe that the combination of Jio's unmatched digital consumer reach and Allianz's deep global insurance expertise is uniquely powerful.

Together, we will deliver world-class insurance solutions to every corner of India — simple to understand, easily accessible through our wide-spread channels, affordable, and powered by technology that works for every Indian. This is our commitment to every Indian, and our contribution to the ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision.”

Oliver Bäte, Chief Executive Officer, Allianz SE, said:

Allianz Group is the most valuable and trusted insurance brand worldwide, a distinction earned over 136 years of supporting the protection needs and growth ambitions of our customers, who come to us from all walks of life. As part of our purpose, we keep promises that transcend borders and span generations

.
By combining our expertise, high-quality products, and exceptional service with the unrivalled reach and capabilities of Jio Financial Services, our exclusive partner across the insurance value chain in India, we will create a more resilient and financially secure future for India, and will help to make the ‘Insurance for All by 2047’ vision a reality.

Our two companies share a profound conviction in the importance of inclusive economic growth and the powerful role that insurance plays in creating shared, sustainable prosperity for more people. Together, we will make protection simpler, more accessible, and more relevant for individuals, families, entrepreneurs and businesses across the country, and we will build a completely new insurance model for India: one designed around customers and their needs.”

Jio Payments Bank Introduces UPI-based Cash Withdrawal Services

Jio Payments Bank Limited (JPBL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jio Financial Services Limited has introduced UPI-based cash withdrawal through its Business Correspondent (BC) touchpoints, marking an important step towards strengthening India’s digital payments ecosystem and advancing financial inclusion in the country.

The feature enables customers, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, to conveniently withdraw cash by simply scanning a UPI QR code and authorizing the transaction through their UPI application, eliminating the need for debit cards or access to traditional ATM infrastructure.

By enabling cardless cash withdrawals at BC touchpoints, the initiative bridges the gap between digital payments and physical cash access, while providing first-time digital users with an assisted and secure way to experience UPI transactions.

Through this initiative, JPBL continues to leverage the digital payments infrastructure and its last-mile BC network to expand accessible banking services, strengthen UPI's reach among cash-dependent segments, and enhance financial inclusion across rural and semi-urban India.

About Jio Payments Bank Limited

Jio Payments Bank Limited (JPBL) is a next-generation, digital-first bank committed to revolutionizing banking in India. Granted approval by the Reserve Bank of India under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, JPBL was incorporated in November 2016 to offer secure, simple, and inclusive banking solutions for every Indian. Its suite of offerings is designed to meet the diverse financial needs of individuals and businesses alike.

About Jio Financial Services Limited:

Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL) is a Core Investment Company (CIC) registered with the Reserve Bank of India. As a new-age institution, JFSL operates a full-stack financial services ecosystem through customer-facing subsidiaries, including Jio Credit Limited, Jio Insurance Broking Limited, Jio Payment Solutions Limited, Jio Leasing Services Limited, Jio Finance Platform and Service Limited, and Jio Payments Bank Limited.

Through a 50:50 joint venture with BlackRock, JFSL offers asset management services in India through Jio BlackRock Asset Management Private Limited; and wealth management through Jio BlackRock Investment Advisers Private Limited. The JV with BlackRock also proposes to offer broking services through Jio BlackRock Broking Private Limited.

JFSL has entered into a 50:50 joint venture with the Allianz Group and has set up Allianz Jio Reinsurance Limited to offer reinsurance services in India. The two entities have also signed a non-binding agreement to explore opportunities in general and life insurance.

With a digital-first model, JFSL is committed to enhancing the financial well-being of Indian citizens by enabling them to borrow, transact, save, and invest seamlessly. Through the JioFinance app, customers can access a wide range of solutions including loans, savings accounts, investment products and solutions, UPI, bill payments, recharges, digital insurance, financial tracking and management tools, and more.

For more updates, please visit www.jfs.in

15 Giants Forge Trusted Tech Alliance to Shape Secure Digital Future

The Trusted Tech Alliance (TTA) has just been launched by 15 of the world’s biggest technology companies, including Google, Microsoft, Jio Platforms, AWS, Nokia, Ericsson, SAP, Anthropic, Cohere, NTT, Cassava Technologies, Hanwha, Nscale, Rapidus, and Saab. The announcement was made at the Munich Security Conference on February 13, 2026.

Purpose of the Alliance

• Cross-border collaboration: Designed to unite tech firms from Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America.
• Trusted technology stack: Focus areas include AI, cloud infrastructure, connectivity, semiconductors, and software.
• Shared principles: Members commit to transparency, security, and data protection, regardless of their country of origin.
• Global trust-building: The alliance aims to counter fragmentation in the tech industry and ensure that innovation benefits are passed on globally.

Why It Matters

• Geopolitical context: Launched at a major security conference, signaling its role in addressing global concerns about digital sovereignty and secure supply chains.
• Industry impact: By pooling resources and influence, these companies can set standards for responsible AI, secure cloud services, and ethical data use.
• Strategic positioning: It’s also a move to strengthen resilience against cyber threats and reduce dependency on single-nation tech ecosystems.

Quick Snapshot of Members

Region	Companies
US	Google, Microsoft, AWS, Anthropic, Cohere
Europe	SAP, Ericsson, Nokia, Saab
Asia	Jio Platforms, NTT, Hanwha, Rapidus
Africa	Cassava Technologies
Global startups	Nscale

This alliance could become a benchmark for global tech governance, much like how financial institutions rely on Basel standards.

Jio Leads in Real 5G Experience, Airtel Plays Catch-Up

Reliance Jio has successfully converted its wide 5G coverage into higher real-world usage compared to Bharti Airtel, largely due to its standalone (SA) 5G architecture, while Airtel’s non-standalone (NSA) setup still routes much traffic through 4G.

The finding is grounded in Opensignal's independent measurement of usage patterns and subscriber adoption data from FY25, showing Jio's SA rollout translates coverage into real-world usage more effectively than Airtel's NSA approach

Why Jio is Ahead in 5G Usage

• Architecture Difference
  • Reliance Jio: Uses standalone (SA) 5G, with a dedicated 5G core. This allows devices to fully utilize 5G speeds and latency improvements.
  • Bharti Airtel: Relies on non-standalone (NSA) 5G, which piggybacks on its 4G core. Devices may show a 5G signal, but much of the traffic still flows through 4G.
• Subscriber Numbers: As of Q4 FY25, Jio had ~191 million 5G subscribers, compared to Airtel’s ~135 million. That’s a 56 million user lead.
• Coverage vs. Experience
  • Jio dominates in coverage and availability, ensuring more users can access 5G consistently.
  • Airtel, however, often leads in download speeds and network experience, especially for video and gaming.

Comparison Table: Jio vs Airtel (5G Performance)

Metric	Reliance Jio	Bharti Airtel
5G Architecture	Standalone (SA)	Non-Standalone (NSA)
Subscribers (Q4 FY25)	~191 million	~135 million
Coverage	Wider PAN-India	Strong but less extensive
Conversion to Usage	Higher (direct 5G core)	Lower (traffic routed via 4G)
Download Speeds	Strong, >100 Mbps	Often faster than Jio
Video/Gaming Experience	Good, improving	Superior responsiveness
Network Reliability	Strong nationwide	Strong in urban clusters

Key Trade-offs & Risks

• For Jio Users: Broader coverage and more consistent 5G usage. But speeds may lag Airtel in certain regions, especially for high-performance tasks like gaming.
• For Airtel Users: Better peak speeds and experience in select areas. However, NSA architecture limits full 5G benefits, meaning users may not feel a dramatic difference from 4G.
• Market Implication: Jio’s aggressive SA rollout positions it as the mass-market leader in 5G adoption. Airtel’s strategy may appeal to premium users who prioritize speed and experience over sheer availability.

Jio 5G Users Aged 18–25 Get Free Access to Google Gemini AI Pro Plan

Reliance Jio has partnered with Google to offer eligible users 18 months of free access to the Gemini 2.5 Pro AI plan—worth ₹35,100—starting October 30, 2025. This offer is currently available to Jio 5G users aged 18–25 on unlimited plans.

What’s Included in the Gemini AI Pro Plan

• Gemini 2.5 Pro model: Google's flagship AI with enhanced reasoning and multimodal capabilities.
• AI image and video generation: Create visuals by describing ideas—ideal for students, creators, and developers.
• NotebookLM: AI-powered research and writing assistant with 5× higher usage limits.
• 2 TB Google Cloud storage: For photos, documents, and collaborative work.
• AI integration in Google Workspace: Use Gemini directly inside Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and more.
• AI image editing tools: Transform photos into creative assets using Gemini’s latest image update.

Who’s Eligible and How to Claim

• Eligibility: Jio 5G users aged 18–25 subscribed to Unlimited 5G plans.
• Claim Process:
  • Open the MyJio app.
  • Look for the Google Gemini Offer banner.
  • Follow the steps to activate your free 18-month subscription.

Strategic Impact

• Follows similar AI democratization efforts like ChatGPT Go being offered free in India from November 4, 2025.
• Airtel previously partnered with Perplexity AI for a one-year free access plan.
• Google Cloud is also partnering with Reliance Intelligence to expand enterprise AI adoption across India.

Why It Matters

This partnership is a major step in making premium AI tools accessible to India’s youth and 5G user base. It blends Reliance’s massive reach with Google’s cutting-edge AI, potentially reshaping how millions engage with productivity, creativity, and research tools.

Cisco Joins Forces with Reliance Jio to Power India's Hyperscale AI Ambitions

American tech giant Cisco Systems is partnering with Reliance Jio to help realize Mukesh Ambani’s vision of building India’s largest hyperscale AI infrastructure, including gigawatt-scale data centers across the country.

Jio Brain & Hyperscale Vision

Jio Brain is Jio’s AI infrastructure initiative aimed at hosting:

• AI training and inferencing workloads
• Cloud-based AI applications

Cisco will provide:

• Data center infrastructure
• Connectivity solutions, including integration with satellite networks like Starlink

Mega Data Centers in Jamnagar & Kolkata

• Jamnagar, Gujarat: A $30 billion project to build the world’s largest AI-powered data center, powered entirely by green energy
• Kolkata: A state-of-the-art AI-ready facility to be completed within 9 months

Strategic Tech Stack

Cisco’s 8000 series routers and Crosswork automation tools will enable:

• Seamless integration of terrestrial and satellite broadband
• End-to-end visibility and telemetry across networks
• Cisco’s AI-ready infrastructure includes:
• Unified Nexus Dashboard
• AI PODs for scalable workloads
• Secure AI Factory in collaboration with NVIDIA

Implications for India

• Positions India as a global AI and data processing hub
• Democratizes access to AI by reducing inferencing costs
• Supports remote connectivity in rural and mountainous regions via satellite integration.

Jio Shelves IPO Plans to Maximize 5G Uptake and Broaden Tech Portfolio

Reliance Jio has officially postponed its much-anticipated IPO, originally slated for 2025, as it pivots toward strengthening its financial fundamentals and expanding its digital footprint.

Why the delay?

Jio wants to boost revenue and subscriber growth before going public, especially in its core telecom business, which contributes nearly 80% of its $17.6 billion annual revenue.

The company is also expanding into AI infrastructure, app development, and connected devices, aiming to diversify beyond telecom and attract a broader investor base.

Strategic moves underway:

Jio is migrating 4G users to higher-revenue 5G services, with over 130 million 5G subscribers already onboard. It’s building an Open Telecom AI Platform in collaboration with AMD, Cisco, and Nokia to integrate AI across network operations.

Further, the company is preparing to compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink in India’s satellite broadband space.

Valuation & investor sentiment:

Analysts value Jio between $111 billion and $136 billion, depending on cost pressures and tariff expectations.

Despite the delay, major investors like Google, Meta, KKR, and Silver Lake remain supportive, trusting in Jio’s long-term growth strategy.

This move echoes Mukesh Ambani’s broader philosophy: prioritize operational maturity over rushed market entry.

Invest from ₹500: Jio BlackRock Aims to Revolutionize Indian Mutual Funds

In a bold move poised to reshape India’s mutual fund landscape, Jio BlackRock Asset Management is preparing to launch nearly a dozen equity and debt funds by the end of 2025,said a report by news agency Reuters.

The joint venture between Mukesh Ambani-backed Jio Financial Services and global investment giant BlackRock aims to democratize investing by offering small-ticket, low-cost funds directly to consumers—bypassing traditional distributors.
The firm’s strategy hinges on leveraging Jio’s vast digital ecosystem and BlackRock’s institutional-grade investment platform, Aladdin.

By distributing funds through Jio’s digital platforms such as MyJio and Jio Finance, the asset manager intends to eliminate intermediary costs and pass on the savings to investors. “India’s mutual fund industry is ripe for disruption,” said said the Reuters report citing a person familiar with the strategy. “Jio BlackRock is betting on scale, technology, and affordability to bring millions of new investors into the fold.”

A Digital-First Approach to Investing

Jio BlackRock has already launched three debt mutual fund schemes—Liquid, Money Market, and Overnight—raising over ₹17,800 crore ($2.1 billion) from 90 institutional and 67,000 retail investors. The firm has now applied to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to launch eight additional funds, expanding its product suite to include both active and passive equity and debt offerings.

What sets these funds apart is their accessibility: investors can start with as little as ₹500 (approximately $5.83), a move designed to attract first-time and underserved investors across India.

The Aladdin Advantage

At the heart of Jio BlackRock’s offering is Aladdin, BlackRock’s proprietary investment management platform. Used globally to manage over $20 trillion in assets, Aladdin brings advanced risk analytics, portfolio optimization, and real-time monitoring to the Indian retail market for the first time.
“Retail investors in India have never had access to this level of institutional-grade technology,” said another source of the report. “It’s a game-changer in terms of transparency and performance.”

Challenging the Status Quo

India’s ₹72.2 trillion ($844 billion) mutual fund industry has traditionally relied on third-party distributors and commission-based models. Jio BlackRock’s direct-to-consumer approach threatens to upend this structure by offering lower expense ratios—potentially undercutting competitors by 0.5–0.6%.

This move could pressure legacy players to digitize and reduce fees, while also challenging the role of intermediaries in fund distribution.

A Broader Vision for Financial Inclusion

With over 475 million telecom subscribers and 8 million financial services users, Jio’s digital reach provides a powerful launchpad for financial inclusion. The venture aligns with broader national goals of expanding retail participation in capital markets and improving financial literacy.

“The overwhelming response to our first NFO is a strong endorsement of our digital-first approach and innovative investment philosophy,” said Sid Swaminathan, CEO of Jio BlackRock Asset Management.

What’s Next?

As Jio BlackRock prepares to roll out its next wave of funds, the industry will be watching closely. If successful, the venture could redefine how mutual funds are distributed, priced, and consumed in India—setting a new benchmark for accessibility and innovation in financial services.

Key Highlights

• Joint venture between Jio Financial Services and BlackRock
• Targeting small-ticket investors with ₹500 minimum investment
• Bypassing traditional distributors to reduce costs
• Leveraging Jio’s digital platforms and BlackRock’s Aladdin
• Filed for 8 new funds after raising $2.1B from initial 3
• Potential to disrupt India’s ₹72.2 trillion mutual fund industry

JioBlackRock Broking Receives SEBI Approval to Launch Brokerage Business

Jio BlackRock Broking Private Limited (JioBlackRock Broking), a wholly owned subsidiary of Jio BlackRock Investment Advisers Private Limited (JioBlackRock Investment Advisers), has received regulatory approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to commence operations as a brokerage firm in India.

JioBlackRock Broking aims to bring affordable, transparent, and technology-driven execution capabilities for Indian investors. The broking entity’s parent company, JioBlackRock Investment Advisers is a 50:50 joint venture between Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL) [BSE, NSE: JIOFIN] and BlackRock Inc. (BlackRock) [NYSE: BLK].

Along with the recent regulatory approvals received by Jio BlackRock Asset Management Private Limited and JioBlackRock Investment Advisers to commence operations, receipt of the broking license enables the JioBlackRock joint venture to offer holistic investment solutions to the people of India.

Marc Pilgrem, Managing Director and CEO of Jio BlackRock Investment Advisers Private Limited, said: “We are delighted to receive SEBI’s final approval for JioBlackRock Broking which moves us closer to contributing to India’s continued evolution from a nation of savers to a nation of investors. With JioBlackRock Investment Advisers, we will be able to offer personalised advice to retail investors. Now with brokerage, we will also bring an execution platform for self-directed investors. “

Hitesh Sethia, Managing Director and CEO, Jio Financial Services Limited said: “These are exciting times for us. Even as JioBlackRock’s Asset Management arm introduces innovative mutual funds to the market, and JioBlackRock Investment Advisers prepares to launch operations, the approval for the broking entity adds another dimension to our strategy of democratising investments in India, through easily accessible and digital-first solutions.”

Rachel Lord, Head of International at BlackRock, said: “JioBlackRock was founded to provide tech-enabled access to capital markets, and affordable, innovative investment solutions, to millions of investors in India. This third approval from SEBI completes the range of offerings of our joint venture. Through these three entities, JioBlackRock will provide a full suite of investment services, enabling Indian investors to work towards their financial goals.”

Jio Financial Services to Acquire Entire Stake of SBI in their JV Jio Payment Bank

Jio Financial Services Ltd (Jio Fin) is set to acquire the entire stake of State Bank of India (SBI) in their joint venture, Jio Payments Bank. This acquisition involves purchasing 7.9 crore shares from SBI for ₹104.5 crore.

As a result, Jio Fin's shareholding in Jio Payments Bank will increase from 82.17% to 100%, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary.

The deal is subject to approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and is expected to be completed within 45 days of receiving the necessary clearance. This move aligns with Jio Financial's strategy to expand its operations and strengthen its position in the financial services sector.

Initially founded as a joint venture between Jio Financial Services and SBI, Jio Payments Bank started its operations in April 2018 and has garnered 1.89 million CASA customers as of December 2024. Spun off from Reliance Industries in 2023, Jio Financial Services has been ramping up its operations and expanding its footprint in the financial services sector.

With this acquisition, Jio Financial Services aims to strengthen its position in the financial services market and enhance its digital financial solutions.

Following the announcement, shares of Jio Financial Services saw a surge of nearly 4%, reaching an intraday high of ₹208 on the BSE.

Jio Financial Services reported a consolidated profit of ₹295 crore for the third quarter ending in December 2024, marking a slight 0.3% increase year-on-year.
The company's assets under management (AUM) grew to ₹4,199 crore, up from ₹1,206 crore in the previous September quarter of FY25.

Notably, Jio Financial Services has been planning to set up a mutual fund business in collaboration with U.S.-based BlackRock. The company also introduced a pilot version of the 'JioFinance' app in May 2024, offering UPI, digital banking, and other related services.

This acquisition is a strategic move for Jio Financial Services to consolidate its position in the financial services sector and leverage its digital capabilities to offer a comprehensive range of financial products and services.

Jio Platforms, Nokia, AMD and Cisco to Build An Open AI Platform for Telecom

• The planned platform is a solutions-oriented, multi-domain intelligence framework aimed at enhancing network security and efficiency, reducing total cost of ownership (TCO)
• Jio Platforms Limited (JPL), along with AMD, Cisco, and Nokia, plans to build an Open Telecom AI Platform to redefine telecom operations with cutting-edge AI integration
• Technology from these industry leaders is pioneering the use of AI across its different forms including Agentic AI, general and domain specific LLMs and SLMs, and other non-GenAI ML techniques to set new standards for the future of telecom

Jio Platforms Limited (JPL), in collaboration with AMD, Cisco, and Nokia, has announced the launch of an Open Telecom AI Platform. This initiative, unveiled at the Mobile World Congress 2025, aims to revolutionize the telecom industry by integrating AI and automation into every layer of network operations. This was announced by the companies at Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona. 

The platform will be LLM agnostic and utilize open APIs to optimize its functionality and capabilities. It combines agentic AI with Large Language Models (LLMs), domain-specific Small Language Models (SLMs), and non-GenAI machine learning techniques to enable end-to-end intelligence for network management and operations.

Reliance Jio will be the first customer to deploy this platform, creating a replicable reference architecture for the global service provider industry. The platform is designed to enhance network efficiency, security, and operational intelligence while creating new revenue opportunities for service providers.

 

This collaboration aims to transform networks into self-optimizing, customer-aware ecosystems that adapt in real-time, enhance user experiences, and create new service and revenue opportunities across the digital ecosystem.

The platform will support multiple LLMs, ensuring flexibility and adaptability across various applications. Domain-specific SLMs will be utilized to provide targeted intelligence for specific network functions.

Traditional machine learning methods i.e. Non-GenAI Machine Learning Techniques will be integrated to enable end-to-end intelligence for network management and operations.

In this collaboration for open telcos AI platform, AMD will contribute high-performance CPUs and GPUs to enhance the platform's scalability, security, and efficiency. Cisco will provide integrated solutions to support the platform's overall functionality. Nokia will bring its expertise in the areas of RAN, Core, Fixed Broadband, and Transport Technologies to ensure comprehensive AI integration across the network.

Jio Platforms (JPL) plays a pivotal role in the development and deployment of the Open Telecom AI Platform. Jio will be the first customer to deploy the platform, creating a replicable reference architecture for the global service provider industry.

These technologies will work together to create a centralized intelligence layer for telecom and digital services, optimizing network performance, security, and operational efficiency.

Jio will be the first customer to deploy the platform, creating a replicable reference architecture for the global service provider industry.

The platform is designed to enhance network efficiency, security, and operational intelligence while creating new revenue opportunities for service providers. Jio's involvement ensures that the platform is adaptable and scalable, meeting the needs of modern telecom operators.

JioStar Launches JioHotstar, Bringing Together JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar

JioStar, the recently formed JV with the merger of Viacom18 and Star India, announced the launch of JioHotstar, bringing together JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar – two of India’s leading platforms for premium sports, entertainment and lots more. This coming together of brands, expansive content, cutting-edge features, and a large audience and subscriber base marks a globally unprecedented milestone in the streaming industry. With close to 3 lac hours of entertainment, unparalleled live sports coverage, and more than 50 crore users, JioHotstar is set to redefine entertainment and unlock Infinite Possibilities for audiences.

Speaking on the launch of JioHotstar, Kiran Mani, CEO – Digital, JioStar said,

At the core of JioHotstar is a powerful vision—to make premium entertainment truly accessible to all Indians. Our promise of Infinite Possibilities ensures that entertainment is no longer a privilege, but a shared experience for all. By integrating AI-driven recommendations and offering streaming in over 19 languages, we are personalizing content like never before.

In line with its promise of making premium entertainment accessible to all, JioHotstar invites everyone to come and watch all their favourite shows, movies and live sports without the need for a subscription. For those looking for an uninterrupted and enhanced experience, JioHotstar provides compelling subscription plans tailored to diverse audience needs, starting at Rs. 149/quarter. Existing JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar subscribers will be able to seamlessly transition and set up their JioHotstar subscriptions.

An Unparalleled Content Universe

JioHotstar is set to redefine entertainment with an extensive and diverse content slate curated for 1.4 billion Indians across 10 languages. From the widest selection of TV programming anywhere in the world to genre-defining originals to widely loved reality entertainment to blockbuster films, anime, and international premieres, JioHotstar ensures there’s something for every viewer. JioHotstar will offer the best of Hollywood, with Disney, NBCUniversal Peacock, Warner Bros. Discovery HBO, and Paramount – all on the same platform; something almost no other streaming service globally provides.

Bringing together the deepest selection of Hollywood entertainment, the best of Indian shows and movies from all parts of the country, and the widest sports offering – JioHotstar promises no matter what you want to watch, you will find it here.

Additionally, the platform introduces ‘Sparks’, a flagship initiative spotlighting India’s biggest digital creators through innovative and engaging formats.

“JioHotstar is setting a new benchmark for digital-first entertainment. The platform is immersive, inclusive, and audience centric. While we have endless entertainment to offer, we are committed to continually innovate and elevate storytelling, ensuring that every Indian, regardless of language, discovers content they love,” added Kevin Vaz, CEO – Entertainment, JioStar, while elaborating on the entertainment offering.

The Ultimate Sports and Live Events Destination

JioHotstar is transforming how audiences engage with sports with immersive, interactive experiences for every fan, from passionate connoisseurs to big-event viewers.

JioHotstar is the home of premier tournaments like ICC events, IPL, and WPL, while also spotlighting grassroots cricket with the Indian Street Premier League and pathway events from BCCI, ICC, and state associations. Beyond cricket, it brings global sporting excellence with the Premier League and Wimbledon while powering domestic leagues like Pro Kabaddi and ISL.

What sets JioHotstar apart is its elevated streaming experience — featuring ultra-HD 4K streaming, AI-powered insights, real-time stats overlays, multi-angle viewing and range of 'culture' and 'special interest' feeds — ensuring fans enjoy deeper, more immersive access to the sports they love.

Emphasizing the platform’s transformative role in sports, Sanjog Gupta, CEO – Sports, JioStar, said, “Sports in India is more than just a game—it’s a shared experience that unites millions. JioHotstar is revolutionizing how fans experience live sports, combining the best of technology, access, storytelling, and innovation with the fan at the heart of everything. Whether it’s the pride in India Cricket, the electric atmospherics of Premier League, passion for India's indigenous sports or exposure for grassroot-level competitions, we will deliver a range of experiences, catering to both 'lean in' and 'lean back' behaviours across a billion screens. We are now taking this philosophy beyond sports by bringing culture-defining live experiences to our audiences. The overwhelming response to Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres live-stream has set us off on this exciting new journey towards infinite possibilities.”

A Brand Built on Infinite Possibilities

JioHotstar’s new brand identity embodies its vision for boundless entertainment. The ‘Big Bang’ symbolizes the dawn of a new era, while the ‘Ripples’ radiate outward, representing energy, transformation, and innovation.

Beyond entertainment, JioHotstar presents unprecedented opportunities for brands and advertisers. With its vast audience reach, advanced ad formats, and data-driven personalization, the platform offers unique ways for businesses to engage meaningfully with consumers.

JioHotstar is not just shaping the future of entertainment—it is unlocking limitless possibilities for audiences, creators, and brands alike.

Airtel, Jio Increases Mobile Tariffs by 10–27%

Airtel and Jio, India's leading mobile service providers, have raised their tariffs by 10-27%, effective July 3rd. This marks the first major hike in mobile plans in over two and a half years.

Here's a breakdown of the increases:

Airtel: The hike ranges from 10% to 21%. To minimize the impact on budget-conscious consumers, they've assured a minimal increase of less than 70 paise per day on entry-level plans.

Jio: The increase varies between 12% and 27%. Jio has also introduced two new apps, Jio Safe and JioTranslate, which will be offered free to customers initially.

The recent increase in mobile tariffs by Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio is primarily driven by several factors. Here are some possible reasons:

• Rising Costs: Telecom companies face increasing operational costs, including network maintenance, spectrum fees, and infrastructure upgrades. To maintain profitability, they adjust tariffs periodically.
• Investments in 5G: Both Airtel and Jio are preparing for the rollout of 5G services. These investments require substantial capital, which may lead to tariff adjustments.
• The telecom industry is competitive, and companies often respond to each other's pricing strategies. When one operator raises tariffs, others may follow suit to maintain a level playing field.
• Inflation and Currency Fluctuations: Inflation affects operational costs, and currency fluctuations impact international payments for services and equipment.
• Regulatory Changes: Regulatory decisions, such as spectrum auctions or license fees, can influence tariffs.

It is to be noted that these are general reasons,and specific details may vary.

Consumers will likely experience increased monthly bills for their mobile services. The tariff hike directly affects the cost of voice calls, data, and other services.

Consumers may explore alternative telecom providers to find better deals. The competitive landscape will play a crucial role in shaping consumer decisions. Small businesses and entrepreneurs who rely heavily on mobile services may face increased operational costs, affecting their profitability.

Overall, the impact varies based on individual circumstances, usage habits, and financial capacity.

Jio Financial Services Launches Beta Version of the 'JioFinance' App

Jio Financial Services has launched the beta version of the 'JioFinance' app. This new app aims to provide a comprehensive suite of financial services, including digital banking, UPI transactions, bill payments, and insurance advisory. It's designed to cater to users of all levels of familiarity with financial technology, ensuring effortless money management.

Key features of the JioFinance app include:

• Instant digital account opening
• Streamlined bank management with the Jio payments bank account feature
• A consolidated view of accounts and savings in a user-friendly interface
• Plans to expand loan solutions, starting with loans on mutual funds.

The app is currently in beta mode to invite user input for refinement and aims to make financial services more transparent, affordable, and intuitive. It's a significant step towards revolutionizing daily finances and digital banking.

To ensure customer satisfaction, "JioFinance" will launch in beta, inviting user input for refinement.

"We're excited to introduce the 'JioFinance,' app to the market. A platform that shall aim to redefine the way individuals manage their finances today. Our end goal is to simplify everything related to finance in a single platform for any user across all demographics, with a comprehensive suite of offerings like lending, investment, insurance, payments & transactions and make financial services more transparent, affordable and intuitive," said a company spokesperson.

Future plans for the app include expanding loan solutions, starting with loans on mutual funds and progressing to home loans. Overall, JioFinance aims to simplify financial services, making them more transparent, affordable, and intuitive for users.

Download — Playstore | iOS

Reliance Jio Surpasses China Mobile To Become World's Largest Mobile Operator in Data Traffic

Reliance Jio has surpassed China Mobile to become the world's largest mobile operator in terms of data traffic. According to the global analytics firm Tefficient, Jio's network registered a total traffic of 40.9 exabytes in the first quarter of this year, which is higher than China Mobile's 38 exabytes. This is a significant milestone for the Indian telecom operator, showcasing its massive scale and reach in the data consumption landscape.

Reliance Jio's ascent to becoming the world's largest mobile operator in data traffic is attributed to several strategic initiatives and the primary one is Affordable Data Plan. Jio revolutionized the Indian telecom market by launching affordable data plans, making internet access more accessible to the masses.

With a strong subscriber base of 481.8 million, Jio has a vast pool of data users contributing to the traffic.

Jio leads the 5G transformation in India with over 108 million True 5G customers, significantly contributing to the data traffic. The company has been at the forefront of technological innovations, including the replacement of 2G with more advanced networks.

The annual data traffic has dramatically increased by 2.4 times since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with monthly per capita data usage skyrocketing to 28.7 GB.

Jio has also become the first Indian company to cross the ₹100,000-crore threshold in pre-tax profits, indicating its financial success and market dominance.

These factors, combined with Jio's continuous efforts to enhance digital connectivity and infrastructure, have played a crucial role in achieving this milestone.

As of February 2024, Reliance Jio has surpassed a significant milestone by achieving over 40% market share in India 1. This positions Jio as the leading mobile telecom provider in the country, reflecting its substantial influence and presence in the Indian telecommunications sector.

Jio Demos India’s 1st Satellite-based Gigabit Broadband To Connect The Remotest Corners Of India

Jio provides fully inclusive broadband through JioFiber, JioAirFiber, and now JioSpaceFiber

Jio to connect everything everywhere across land, air, sea & space

Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, the world’s largest private mobile data network, successfully demonstrated India’s first satellite-based giga fiber service to provide high speed broadband services to previously inaccessible geographies within India. Jio demonstrated its new satellite broadband, called JioSpaceFiber, at India Mobile Congress on Friday. The service will be available across the length and breadth of the country at highly affordable prices.

Today, Jio delivers high speed broadband fixed line and wireless services to over 450 million Indian consumers. To accelerate digital inclusivity for every household in India, Jio has added JioSpaceFiber to its premier lineup of broadband services, JioFiber and JioAirFiber. With Jio, consumers and businesses have unprecedented access to reliable, low latency and high- speed internet and entertainment services, regardless of location. The satellite network will also support additional capacity for mobile backhaul, further enhancing the availability and scale of Jio True5G in the remotest parts of the country.

Jio is partnering with SES to access the world’s latest in medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite technology, the only MEO constellation capable of delivering truly unique Gigabit, fiber-like services from space. With Jio having access to a combination of SES’s O3b and new O3b mPOWER satellites, it is the only company that offers game-changing technology, providing scalable and affordable broadband across all of India with a level of guaranteed reliability and service flexibility that is a first in the industry. 

To demonstrate its power and reach, four of the remotest locations in India have already 
been connected with JioSpaceFiber:

• Gir Gujarat
• Korba Chattisgarh
• Nabrangpur Odissa
• ONGC-Jorhat Assam

“Jio has enabled millions of homes and businesses in India to experience broadband internet for the first time. With JioSpaceFiber, we expand our reach to cover the millions yet to be connected,” said Akash Ambani, Chairman Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited. “JioSpaceFiber will allow everyone, everywhere, to fully participate in the new digital society with gigabit access to online government, education, health, and entertainment services.”

“Together with Jio, we are honoured to support the Government of India's Digital India initiative with a unique solution that aims at delivering multiple gigabits per second of throughput to any location in India,” said John-Paul Hemingway, Chief Strategy Officer at SES. “Our first fiber-like services from space are already deployed today in parts of India, and we cannot wait to see how this will lead to digital transformation even in the most rural parts of the country."

Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, a subsidiary of Jio Platforms Limited, has built a world-class all-IP data-strong future-proof network using 4G LTE and 5G technologies. It is the only network conceived as a Mobile Video Network from the ground up. It is future-ready and can be easily upgraded to support even more data, as technologies advance to 6G and beyond.

Jio has brought transformational changes in the Indian digital services space to enable the vision of Digital India for 1.4 billion Indians and propel India into global leadership in the digital economy. It has created an ecosystem comprising of network, devices, applications and content, service experience, and affordable tariffs for everyone to live the Jio Digital Life. 

Reliance Jio Partners Plume to Deliver AI-enhanced In-Home Services To JioFiber and JioAirFiber Subscribers

Jio Harnesses Plume’s Cloud Platform to Bring Best-In-Class In-Home Experiences to Consumers in India

Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, India’s largest telecom network, today announced a partnership with network services and consumer experience pioneer Plume® to provide market-leading smart home and small business services to its subscribers across India. This partnership will deliver state-of-the-art services, through Plume’s highly scalable cloud platform, to approximately 200 million premises in India.

Jio specializes in meeting the digital needs of customers based in India, providing fixed-line and wireless services delivered through the cloud, with all the infrastructure hosted in the country. For this purpose, Jio has built world-class JioFiber and JioAirFiber networks, designed to deliver reliable and high-speed internet and entertainment services to every home of the country.

With this new partnership, Jio will deploy HomePass® and WorkPass® consumer services enabled by Plume’s AI-powered and cloud-based platform, including whole-home adaptive WiFi, connected device and application performance optimization, cyberthreat protection for connected devices, advanced parental controls, WiFi motion sensing, and more. Access to Plume’s Haystack® Support and Operations Suite will enable Jio’s customer support and operations teams to identify, analyze, and act faster on performance-related issues, find and isolate the location of network faults, and monitor the overall customer experience.

“As we continue to expand our portfolio of connected home services, it is critical for Jio to provide our customers the most advanced and secure in-home digital services, delivering the best end-to-end customer experience,” said Mathew Oommen, President, Reliance Jio. “With scalable and leading-edge platforms from partners like Plume, Jio will to continue to strengthen and enhance our connected home service offers and experience.”

“The partnership with Jio marks a significant global expansion of Plume’s services with a major telecoms force in Asia. Our ability to offer a tailored and highly scalable cloud-based solution to meet the needs of the Indian market will enable Jio to rapidly expand its services offering,” said Adrian Fitzgerald, Chief Revenue Officer, Plume. “We are thrilled to help Jio deliver unique and highly personalized in-home digital experiences to its customers across India and support the company in the next chapter of its growth journey.”

About Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited:

Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, a subsidiary of Jio Platforms Limited, has built a world-class all-IP data-strong future-proof network using 4G LTE and 5G technologies. It is the only network conceived as a Mobile Video Network from the ground up. It is future-ready and can be easily upgraded to support even more data, as technologies advance to 6G and beyond.

Jio has brought transformational changes in the Indian digital services space to enable the vision of Digital India for 1.4 billion Indians and propel India into global leadership in the digital economy. It has created an eco-system comprising of network, devices, applications and content, service experience, and affordable tariffs for everyone to live the Jio Digital Life.

About Plume

Plume® is the creator of the world’s first SaaS experience platform for Communications Service Providers (CSPs) and their subscribers, deployed in more than 55 million locations globally. As the only open and hardware-independent, cloud-controlled solution, Plume enables the rapid delivery of new services for smart homes, small businesses, and beyond, at massive scale. On the front end, Plume delivers self-optimizing, adaptive WiFi, cyber-security, access and parental controls, and more. CSPs get robust data- and AI-driven back-end applications for unprecedented visibility, insights, support, operations, and marketing. Plume leverages OpenSync®, an open-source framework that comes pre-integrated and supported on the leading silicon, CPE, and platform SDKs.

Visit plume.com, plume.com/homepass, plume.com/workpass, plume.com/uprise, and opensync.io. Follow Plume on LinkedIn.

Plume, OpenSync, WorkPass, HomePass, Uprise, Adapt, and Haystack are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Plume Design, Inc. Other company and product names are used for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Jio Raises ~ $2 Bn, for Buying 5G Gears from Nokia, in One of India’s Largest Offshore Loan

Mukesh Ambani's Jio Infocomm has reportedly raised nearly $2 billion (about Rs 16,640 crore) in one of the country's biggest offshore loans in FY'24.

According to an Economic Times report, the raised capital would be utilized towards buying 5G equipment from Nokia. HSBC was the lead arranger of the loan.

Finnish government-owned finance agency Finnvera reportedly provided a cover of a similar sum to insure Jio’s 5G gear supplier Nokia and the telecom company’s global lenders from future risks. The cover is expected to reduce Jio’s overall 5G gear funding costs and it will make the lender and supplier more comfortable, The Economic Times reported citing people aware of the matter.

The loan, which is about $1.5-2 billion, "...is structured in a way that carries with it an implied rate of interest arrived over the tenure of the loan,” said the Economic Times report, quoting one of the people aware of the matter as saying."

Earlier about a month back, Jio raised $2 billion from BNP Paribas to purchase 5G equipments from Ericsson.

As part of its 5G roll out strategy, Reliance Jio is poised to bring 5G prepaid and postpaid plans to consumers by December.