Reliance Jio to have 1 million recharge outlets to prepare for 4G launch

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: In order to prepare for the launch of its 4G services in the coming months, Reliance Jio Infocomm is setting up 500,000 activation outlets and close to a million recharge outlets.

Reliance Jio, which will compete with the likes of Bharti Airtel and Vodafone in offering 4G services, expects to play a "significant role" in lifting India to among the top 10 nations in Internet penetration, from the current 155 rank, its parent Reliance Industries said in its annual report.

"With respect to sales and distribution, Jio will have half-a-million activation outlets and close to a million recharge outlets at launch. This will be in addition to the digital channels that Jio is promoting for seamless activation and recharge facilities for customers," it said.

All outlets will have real-time access to the 1,072 Jio offices set up across the country, it said.

As per the State of Broadband 2015 report by the Broadband Commission (ITU and UN), India ranked 155 in the mobile broadband penetration.

At present, the mobile broadband coverage in India is estimated at just 15 per cent in contrast to 75 per cent in the US. "At launch, Jio will have 70 per cent coverage of population and will rise to 90 per cent in the next one year," RIL said.

(With PTI inputs)