Reliance Jio opens 4G service for public via invite only system

Reliance Jio, after soft launching its 4G services to employees in December last year, will now extend the trials to general public via an unique invite system, but there's a catch. You'll have to get the invite from a Reliance 4G employee using the trail 4G SIM card and Jio's 4G service will be limited to LYF-branded handsets.

Under the invite system, Reliance employees who got the trial SIM cards earlier can refer up to 10 people to try out the Jio's 4G services. The invite offered by the employees will allow customers to buy a LYF-branded smartphone from any Reliance Digital store, and the phone will come bundled with unlimited voice calls and 4G data for a period of 90 days.

The invitee will need to pay Rs. 200 to activate the service. Additionally, users will also get 9000 text messages, 1500 minutes of HD voice & video calling for during the period of 90 days. The invite is valid for up to 15 days from the day it is received and cannot be transferred. Users will not be able to activate international roaming for the first 90 days of free services.

Users will also get to enjoy unlimited access to Jio apps, including Jio Beats, Jio Mags, Jio Drive, Jio Security, Jio Join, Jio XperssNews, Jio Play and Jio On-Demand for three months. Notably most of these apps are currently available on Google Play store but requires a Jio SIM to log in. The apps will also release to iOS devices soon.

The invite system is now live in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, MP and Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Maharashtra and Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Notably, the commercial launch of Reliance Jio's 4G service has been delayed several time, and currently the launch is slated to take place by the end of this year. Reliance recently announced that over 500,000 users are testing it 4G service, and aims to increase the number with the invite system. The company has also announced a couple of LYF branded products including smartphones and 4K LED smart TVs. According to Counterpoint LYF grabbed fifth spot with 7 percent market share in Q1 2016 in the country.

Via