Reliance Industries Limited’s (RIL) annual report for FY24 reveals that Jio‘s share in India’s overall data traffic has surged to approximately 60%. The telecom giant’s forward-looking investments in next-generation networks and digital technologies are expected to sustain its competitive edge and market share, ensuring robust shareholder returns in the years to come.
RIL Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani emphasized Jio’s transformation of India from a “Data Dark” to a “Data Rich” nation, achieved through affordable, high-speed 4G data and the rapid nationwide rollout of a 5G network. The report highlights that the deployment of next-generation fixed wireless networks is set to drive demand for high-speed fixed broadband, particularly in rural areas with limited last-mile infrastructure.
Jio’s indigenously developed technologies are being deployed at scale within India, with plans for global expansion. In the March 2024 quarter, the company recorded the highest average per capita data usage at 28.7 GB per month, resulting in a 31% year-over-year increase in overall data traffic to approximately 149 exabytes during FY24, driven by a growing 5G user base and increased fixed broadband connections.
“Jio has built enough data capacity to serve over a billion Indians for their digital needs at homes, offices, and on-the-go. Jio’s share of data traffic in India has increased to about 60%, making it the most preferred broadband network,” the RIL annual report stated.
Jio leads the Indian telecom market in both mobile and fixed line segments, boasting a total subscriber base of 481.8 million, which includes 108 million 5G users and 12 million fixed broadband users. The Jio True5G network now handles almost 30% of Jio’s mobility data traffic, with all 5G data carried on Jio’s proprietary 5G+4G combo core. Notably, Jio is the only operator in India rolling out 5G on a Standalone architecture.
The report underscores Jio’s strategic positioning to lead the advancement of 5G in India, backed by its extensive fiber network and rollout of fixed wireless access services, aimed at connecting 100 million premises with digital solutions. Jio’s connectivity and compute infrastructure are poised to drive market share gains.
However, the report also identifies potential threats, such as disruptive technological changes and the entry of new competitors, which could impact long-term returns. Nevertheless, Jio’s proactive investments in next-generation network and digital technologies are expected to maintain its competitive advantage and market share gains.
Furthermore, Jio is investing in evolving technologies such as AI/ML (Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning), AR/VR (Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality), robotics, and natural language recognition and processing. Ambani noted that the world increasingly recognizes India as an innovation hub and reaffirmed Jio’s commitment to enhancing the nation’s digital infrastructure and capabilities.
“With the launch of Jio 4G in 2016, we set out on a journey to make digital inclusion in India a reality. Jio turned a Data Dark India into a Data Rich nation, supplying every Indian home with affordable, high-speed 4G data, and this year, Jio has further enhanced the country’s digital infrastructure by rolling out its True5G network across India in world-record time,” Ambani stated.
He also described the launch of the JioBharat phone as a revolutionary step towards bridging the country’s digital divide. “A smartphone at the price of a feature phone, the JioBharat phone will go a long way in the realization of a 2G-mukt Bharat,” he added.
