As per analysts and sources, Mukesh Ambani headed Reliance Jio Infocomm may launch 4G services in smaller cities like Indore and Coimbatore before launching it in metro cities.
The company is rapidly putting up critical infrastructure and conducting trials to bring in affordable handsets and devices before the roll-out. Jio is likely to have readied its circle headquarters across all the 22 telecom circles with a chief technology officer at each place, people familiar with the matter said.
Since May 2010, Jio has owned airwaves in the 2300 MHz band in all the 22 circles. The company has plans to launch 4G data services using the 2300 MHz band, or TD-LTE that allows high-speed data at much cheaper costs, along with voice over LTE (VoLTE) on the 1800 MHz band, or FDD LTE.
The initial services may be launched later this year around September and ramp up the operations over the following months. Jio is also likely to have completed the installation of base stations across 11,000 towers, and the number is expected to go up to 40,000 by the year-end.
As per reports, Jio may have successfully conducted trials on Samsung Galaxy S4 mini handsets that can be used for voice over LTE.
