Addressing the gathering, Mittal recalled an earlier milestone from 1999, when Bharti Airtel launched its services in Andhra Pradesh in the presence of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. He said that at the time, the company had committed to building telecommunications connectivity, which later evolved into the development of strong digital infrastructure aligned with the vision of Digital India.

Mittal noted that nearly 12,000 kilometres of fibre infrastructure already exist in the region, providing a strong foundation for future growth. He said this presents a significant opportunity for the state and for Visakhapatnam to emerge as a major hub for digital and intelligence-driven infrastructure.

He also highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s approach to industrial growth, pointing to policy clarity, speed of execution, and long-term vision as key factors enabling large-scale transformation projects. According to Mittal, these strengths make the state a natural choice for the development of a large AI ecosystem.

Describing the vision for the city, he said that Visakhapatnam, which has historically served as a gateway for maritime trade, will now take on a new role as a gateway to the intelligence age for India and the globe.

Mittal acknowledged the role of partners, including Google, Adani Group, and Bharti Airtel, in supporting the initiative. He said the collaboration aims to create one of the finest facilities of its kind globally, adding that the groundwork has been laid and execution will now move forward within defined timelines.

Referring again to the early days of Airtel’s expansion, Mittal said the focus had initially been on expanding connectivity to rural areas before moving to urban markets, and reiterated his commitment that the current project would also be delivered as planned.

At the centre of the initiative is Nxtra by Airtel, which he described as India’s leading homegrown data centre business. Nxtra currently operates 14 core campuses across India, with more than 120 data centres. It has a live capacity of approximately 270 megawatts.

Mittal said the project is designed to be self-sustainable and environmentally responsible. He added that nearly 400 megawatts of renewable energy will be utilised as part of the development, supporting India’s progress towards net zero goals.

He further outlined that the broader ecosystem being developed will include a state-of-the-art cable landing station and infrastructure to host international subsea cables. In addition, Bharti Airtel will build a robust intra-city and inter-city fibre network to improve connectivity, enhance resilience, and increase capacity across India’s digital backbone.

Concluding his remarks, Mittal said that artificial intelligence has transformed technology by digitising cognition itself. He noted that AI is improving efficiency and productivity while enabling personalisation at scale, with the potential to address systemic challenges across sectors.

He added that India will play a central role in the global AI story, and that artificial intelligence will remain a key pillar of the country’s growth for many decades.

Mittal expressed confidence that Andhra Pradesh, and Visakhapatnam in particular, will attract significant investments and commercial activity going forward. He reiterated Bharti Enterprises’ commitment to supporting the state’s development and digital ambitions.

OnePlus Pad 4 India Specifications

OnePlus Pad 4 will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC. The tablet will come with a 13.2-inch display with support for 3.4K True Color Display. There will be surround sound powered by eight hi-fidelity speakers. Users will get cinema-grade immersion with the tablet when it comes to sound and entertainment. OnePlus Pad 4 is now confirmed to pack a 13380mAh battery, the largest ever insisde a OnePlus tablet.

OnePlus will even launch the OnePlus Stylo Pro which will come with support for 16,000 pressure levels. It will have dual-tips as well. The display will also support Dolby Vision. The colour and design of the OnePlus Pad 4 has already been unveiled. You can see a pill sized cutout at the back of the tablet for housing the camera sensors.

Anshuman Thakur, head of strategy at Reliance Jio Infocomm, at Reliance Industries latest post-earnings conference call said, “On the product side, the 5G premium services with our stack, we can offer. Now, some of this is being done on a trial basis. We need to ensure that we are fully regulatory compliant, but these products are ready for the market.”

5G slicing is not a new thing, as the telco has already been doing it for enterprises. But when it comes to the regulatory wireless customer side of things, the telco can’t just do it yet, even when it has the technology to. Reliance Jio will be able to network slices for different use cases such as 5G cloud gaming and more. This will improve the experience for the customers, however, they will definitely need to pay more to access that.

Much recently, Jyotiraditya Scindia, union telecom minister of India and Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, minister of state for communications, met with Robert J Ravi, chairman of BSNL and other executives from the telco to review operational metrics and overall performance of the operator.

While the growth looks impressive on the ARPU department for the last year, it is still not enough for the company to compete in the industry. If this was a private telecom operator, it wouldn’t be able to sustain. BSNL not only has the lowest ARPU in the industry, it also has the lowest subscriber count as well. BSNL needs to figure out a way to improve ARPU, and it won’t be with just indirect hikes only.

Along with the infrastructure sharing, the two telcos could also engage in spectrum sharing. This will improve efficiency for the telcos in providing services. Vodafone Idea has been adding new customers for consecutive months according to data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) monthly performance report.

Vodafone Idea has been in discussions with the banks and financial institutions along with investors to raise about Rs 45,000 crore further to infuse into its capex (capital expenditure). The telecom operator, if successful in raising funds, will be able to start catching up with the competitors including Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.

The plan we are talking about costs Rs 499. However, this is not a prepaid plan with service validity. This is actually a data voucher, which will only work on top of an active service validity plan. Let’s take a look at the complete benefits of the Rs 499 data voucher from Vodafone Idea.

Vodafone Idea Rs 499 Prepaid Plan Data Vouchers Benefit

Vodafone Idea Rs 499 prepaid data voucher comes with 20GB of data and 3 months of validity. Apart from the data that’s bundled with the plan, users get a Swiggy One subscription for 3 months. The three months subscription of Swiggy One generally costs much lower with offers and in fact Swiggy itself offers renewal of the subscription at a very low cost when the user is trying to order something. This helps the company in retaining the user for a long time.

The thing with this particular data voucher is that users also get 20GB of data. That is what they are paying essentially extra for over the Swiggy One subscription here. This plan is available for users across the country. If you want it, you can recharge it with the mobile app of Vi as well as the website of the telecom operator.

Speaking at the COAI Digicom Summit 2026, Abhijit Kishore, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of Vodafone Idea Limited said, “The reassessment is ongoing. We are just waiting… hopefully it should happen as soon as possible.”

The Supreme Court (SC) of India had asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to provide relief to Vi in the AGR dues department. So the telecom department froze the dues of the telco for the next 10 years with a very nominal payment schedule every year till then and also said that it would reassess the existing dues.

The telecom department recently extended the reassessment period of Vi’s AGR dues by three more months at the end of June 2026. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, minister of state for telecom, said at the COAI Digicom Summit 2026, “We are also coming up with a technology development fund with even more outlay and more co-funding mechanisms so that the fund really does what it’s supposed to do.”

Also Read: What They Said: Sridhar Vembu of Zoho on AI

Reflecting on the journey of Indians abroad, Vembu, in a long post on X on April 27, 2026, noted that many had migrated to the US with limited resources but strong educational and cultural foundations, going on to achieve significant success. “Like I did 37 years ago, you arrived in America with no money but with a good education and cultural heritage from Bharat. You achieved outstanding success.” He added, “America was good to us. For that we must remain grateful – gratitude is our Bharatiya way.”

Full text of the letter

“Open letter to Indians in America.

Dear brothers and sisters from Bharat:

Like I did 37 years ago, you arrived in America with no money but with a good education and cultural heritage from Bharat. You achieved outstanding success. America was good to us. For that we must remain grateful – gratitude is our Bharatiya way.

Yet today, a significant number of Americans, may be not the majority but not too far from it either, believe that Indians “take away” American jobs and our success in America was unfairly earned.

You may think the next election will fix this, but your choice would be between people who hate our Bharatiya civilisation and people who hate civilisation itself. That is the “hard right” vs “woke left” battle. You are mere bystanders to that conflict.

Meanwhile there is one thing that is true now and will be true in the future: the respect Indians command world-wide will substantially depend on the fortunes of India herself. If India remains poor, the woke left will give us moral lectures with pity and the hard right, different moral lectures with scorn (“hellhole”) and we must not confuse either with respect.

Respect in today’s world, along with prosperity and security, comes from one source: a nation’s technological prowess. India produces sufficient brain power to achieve that prowess but alas we exported so much of that talent, particularly to America. As we develop that prowess in India, our civilisational strength will assert itself.

As difficult as it is for many of you to contemplate this, please come back home. Bharat Mata needs your talent. Our vast youthful population needs the technology leadership you gained over the years to guide them towards prosperity. Let’s do it with a missionary zeal.

Respectfully
Sridhar Vembu”

Much recently, on April 24, 2026, when Reliance Industries came out with the results for Q4 FY26, Ambani said that Jio is progressing steadily with the IPO of Jio Platforms.

“I am happy to note that we are advancing steadily towards the listing of Jio Platforms. This will mark a defining milestone in its journey as it continues to scale new heights and contribute to India’s digital future,” said Ambani.

If things are going as per plan, we should see Jio being listed in this very quarter. However, multiple reports in the recent past have indicated that there will be delays with the IPO.

OnePlus Nord CE 6 Lite 5G Specifications Confirmed

OnePlus Nord CE 6 Lite 5G will be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Apex chipset. The chipset has been built on a 4nm process and is paired with fast UFS 3.1 internal storage. The device scored over 1,030,000 on the AnTuTu. It is complimented by a large 5300mm square VC cooling system.

The phone has a display with support for 144Hz refresh rate and can also support 90fps gaming in many major titles. Its 6.72-inch Full HD display supports dynamic refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz, scaling up to 144Hz when required, balancing fluidity with power efficiency. The phone has a 7000mAh battery with support for 45W SUPERVOOC fast-charging.

It has a 50MP primary camera at the rear with support for 4K video recording. For selfies and video calling, there’s an 8MP sensor at the front. There are AI-powered video editing tools support with the device as well. The phone will run on OxygenOS 16 out of the box based on Android 16. More details on the launch offers and price will be announced on May 7, 2026, at 12 PM.

The iPhone Ultra is expected to be launched alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models. The iPhone Ultra is expected to be the company’s first book-style foldable from the company, said Mark Gurman from Bloomberg in the latest edition of ‘Power On’ newsletter.

Apple’s most exciting launch across the year is usually in September every year. The company launches its new iPhone series every year in September, and right as Ternus will take over, the company will have the iPhone 18 series launch. It will be the best way for Apple to introduce the new CEO to the world, as everyone’s closely watches the iPhone launches.

For the first time in years, Apple will launch the new iPhone series without Tim Cook introducing it to the world.

Massive 5G Investments Yet to Deliver Returns

Speaking to PTI on the sidelines of the COAI Digicom Summit, COAI Director General S P Kochhar reportedly highlighted that the industry expects the government to consider the humongous investment made by telecom operators in 5G, without any return on investment (ROI).

“I hope that the spectrum prices go down because 5G has seen a lot of capital infusion without ROI. Till the time we start getting ROI, investing in a very expensive spectrum will have to be judged as a cost-effective business purpose. A spectrum cannot be just used by picking it up from the auction, but it has to be made usable with large investments,” Kochhar reportedly said.

TRAI Recommends Auction of 11,790 MHz Spectrum

In February, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommended auctioning the entire 11,790 MHz of available spectrum across multiple frequency bands, including 600 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz. Lower frequency bands, such as 600 MHz, are known to offer wider coverage and improved indoor connectivity, and the government is exploring their auction to enhance network reach.

Pricing to Decide Operator Participation

TRAI has pegged the base price of the proposed spectrum at Rs 2.1 lakh crore, marking a 19 per cent reduction compared to the reserve prices set for the 2022 auction. However, Kochhar noted that pricing will ultimately determine the extent of participation by telecom operators.

6G on the Horizon

“We want more spectrum. There are many countries where the spectrum is free, but there are obligations for that spectrum. So the model has to evolve now, with 5G having come in and 6G on the horizon. The model has to be different from the one which we are following. That is a call the government has to take,” he was quoted as saying.

High Spectrum Costs Remain a Major Concern

While the government has opted to allocate spectrum administratively for satellite communication services, spectrum for mobile services continues to be assigned through auctions. Kochhar reiterated the industry’s concerns over high costs, stating, “We have been writing to the government that the spectrum cost is the biggest capital expenditure that we incur. They have to at least hold a hand till the time we start getting ROI on the use of spectrum.”

India Offers cheapest mobile data

Despite no ROI on 5G, India offers one of the cheapest mobile data in the world. The Government of India’s flagship Digital India programme, launched in July 2015, has significantly transformed the country’s digital landscape by expanding internet access, improving affordability, and strengthening digital infrastructure, according to information presented in Lok Sabha in March.

A Strong ARPU Recovery After Years of Pressure

For a telecom operator that has struggled with declining revenues and subscriber losses over the past decade, a 42% increase in ARPU represents a meaningful turnaround signal ARPU is a critical metric in the telecom sector, reflecting how much revenue an operator generates per user, and is often used as an indicator of pricing strength and customer quality.

The jump from Rs 71 to Rs 101 suggests that BSNL is beginning to improve its monetisation strategy, possibly through better tariff structures, improved customer mix, and increased data consumption. However, despite the sharp growth, BSNL’s ARPU still remains below that of private operators such as Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, which continue to dominate the market with stronger pricing power and larger subscriber bases.

From 3G Legacy to 4G Competitor

One of the most significant developments highlighted during the review is BSNL’s transition from a legacy 3G network to a competitive 4G player. This shift is critical, as the telecom market in India has largely moved beyond 3G, with users increasingly demanding high-speed data services for streaming, gaming, and digital applications.

BSNL has begun rolling out its 4G network across multiple circles, marking a long-awaited upgrade that could help it stay relevant in a highly competitive market. The success of this transition will play a crucial role in determining whether the company can sustain its ARPU growth and attract new subscribers.

The 4G rollout is also expected to serve as the foundation for BSNL’s eventual move to 5G services, although timelines and execution will remain key challenges.

Indigenous Telecom Stack Gains Importance

Beyond operational improvements, the government has emphasised BSNL’s role in advancing India’s indigenous telecom capabilities. According to the minister, India has now joined an elite group of just five countries globally that have developed end-to-end indigenous telecom technology.

This includes both core network and radio access components, which are being deployed as part of BSNL’s 4G rollout. The move is aligned with the broader “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, which aims to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign technology providers.

The push for an indigenous telecom stack is not merely symbolic. It carries significant implications for national security, cost optimisation, and long-term technological independence by positioning BSNL at the centre of this initiative, the government is effectively using the operator as a platform to test and scale homegrown telecom solutions.

BSNL’s Circle-Level Performance Highlights

The review meeting also recognised the performance of various telecom circles and business verticals within BSNL. The Odisha circle emerged as the overall best-performing circle, achieving around 21% growth in revenue from services and consistently meeting key performance targets.

In the enterprise segment, Odisha again stood out with a remarkable 68% year-on-year growth, while the enterprise business vertical overall recorded a 15% increase in revenue. Other circles such as Karnataka, Assam, and Jharkhand were also acknowledged for improvements in EBITDA and overall performance across multiple business segments.

These regional highlights indicate that BSNL’s recovery is not limited to a single market but is being driven by improvements across different parts of the country.

Challenges Remain in a Competitive Market

Despite the positive indicators, BSNL continues to face significant challenges in competing with private operators. Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have built extensive 4G and 5G networks, offering superior coverage, faster speeds, and a wide range of bundled services.

BSNL’s strategy appears to focus more on affordability and accessibility, particularly in rural and semi-urban markets while this positioning can help the operator retain a loyal user base, it may not be sufficient to attract high-value users in urban markets where network performance is a key differentiator.

The company will need to accelerate its network expansion, improve service quality, and ensure consistent user experience to compete effectively.

Focus Areas for the Year Ahead

Looking ahead to FY 2026-27, the government has outlined a clear set of priorities for BSNL. These include improving customer experience, strengthening operational efficiency, and ensuring rigorous monitoring at the circle level.

The emphasis on accountability and execution suggests that while early signs of improvement are visible, sustained progress will depend on how effectively these strategies are implemented on the ground.

The government has also highlighted the importance of continued collaboration with telecom equipment manufacturers to strengthen the domestic ecosystem and consolidate India’s position as a global leader in indigenous telecom technology.

Early Signs of a Turnaround

BSNL’s FY26 performance, particularly the sharp rise in ARPU, offers a glimpse of a potential turnaround story. However, the journey is far from complete sustaining this momentum will require consistent improvements across multiple areas, including network rollout, customer acquisition, and service quality. At the same time, the operator’s role in advancing India’s indigenous telecom ambitions adds a strategic dimension to its revival efforts.

For now, the numbers indicate progress. Whether BSNL can build on this foundation and emerge as a stronger competitor in India’s telecom market will depend on execution, scale, and the pace of its transformation in the years ahead.

Read More – Jio Adds Most 5G FWA Subscribers in March 2026

Reliance Jio Rs 111 Plan

Reliance Jio Rs 111 plan comes with 5GB of data. Users can select any one premium OTT option bundle from the telco. The first option comes with JioGame Mobile for 56 days and the second option comes with JioGame Mobile, Fancode, and Snapchat. The validity of this plan is 28 days. Subscriptions can be redeemded or claimed via MyJio app.

Read More – Vodafone Idea Adding Active Subscribers is Great

Reliance Jio Rs 459 Plan

Reliance Jio Rs 459 plan comes with unlimited voice calling, 100 SMS/day, and 2GB of daily data, and 5GB of bonus data. There are additional benefits such as JioGames Mobile, Snapchat+ via MyJio app. There are special Jio benefits as well such as JioHotstar Mobile subscription for three months, and JioAICloud 50GB free storage. With this plan, users also get Gemini AI Pro subscription worth Rs 35,100 for 18 months. Users get 5000GB of Google Cloud storage, Nano Banana, and more.

Jio has these two plans right now in the offering which come with Snapchat subscriptions. Jio is the first company in the industry which is offering Snapchat access to the users. This is a great bundling since Snapchat is used by plenty of young Indians and once these customers lock-into the plans and Jio’s network, they stay with the network/company for a long-time.

A Mix of Budget and Premium Offerings

At the entry level, Vodafone idea has introduced a Rs 325 prepaid plan offering unlimited voice calls, 10GB data, and 300 SMS with a validity of 28 days. The plan is positioned as a straightforward option for users looking for basic connectivity without committing to higher-priced packs. However, once the bundled data is exhausted, users will be charged at 50 paise per MB, which could make it expensive for heavy data users.

Vi has also expanded its long-validity portfolio with new “NonStop Hero” plans. The Rs 2099 plan, available in select circles such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, offers 180 days of validity with unlimited voice calls, 100 SMS per day, and full-day unlimited data.

A similar offering, priced at Rs 2180, has been launched for users in Tamil Nadu and Chennai, carrying identical benefits but tailored for regional availability toperator has also retained its earlier Rs 1749 and Rs 2399 plans with 180-day validity, ensuring that users have multiple options depending on pricing preferences.

The ‘Unlimited Data’ Proposition

The highlight of Vi’s new plans is the “full-day unlimited data” promise unlike traditional daily data cap plans, these packs allow users to consume data without a fixed per-day limit. However, there is a caveat.

Subscribers with 5G enabled devices will be able to access unlimited 5G data only in areas where Vi has active 5G coverage. In regions where 5G is yet to roll out, users will rely on 4G networks, where performance and capacity could vary.

This is a critical distinction, especially when compared to competitors. Both Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have aggressively expanded their 5G footprint across India, making network availability a key factor in delivering on the promise of unlimited data.

Cricket Pack Adds Content Layer

In addition to core prepaid plans, Vodafone Idea has introduced a Rs 44 cricket data add-on pack. The pack offers 1GB of data with a one-day validity and includes a 28-day subscription to JioHotstar Mobile.

The move highlights a growing trend in the telecom industry, where operators are increasingly bundling content services to enhance perceived value. However, it also raises questions about differentiation, as content bundling has already become a standard strategy across operators.

Competing on Price or Value

Vi’s latest portfolio reflects a clear attempt to compete on both ends of the market affordability and long-term value. The Rs 325 plan targets budget-conscious users, while the 180-day unlimited data packs aim to attract users looking for fewer recharges and extended validity.

However, pricing alone may not be enough over the past few years, Reliance Jio has built a strong ecosystem around content, connectivity, and digital services, while Bharti Airtel has focused on network quality and premium positioning.

In comparison, Vi continues to face challenges in both subscriber retention and network perception. Industry data has consistently shown pressure on its core mobile user base, even as the company explores new strategies to stabilise its business.

Network Remains the Key Differentiator

While unlimited data plans and long validity can attract attention, user experience ultimately depends on network performance.

For Vi, the rollout of 5G services remains a work in progress, and the effectiveness of its new plans will depend heavily on how quickly it can expand coverage and improve network capacity. This is particularly important in urban markets, where users increasingly expect seamless connectivity across streaming, gaming, and remote work applications. Without consistent network performance, even the most attractively priced plans may struggle to retain users.

Strategy or Survival Move

The introduction of these plans comes at a time when Vi is under pressure to improve its financial and operational metrics. Expanding the prepaid portfolio could help drive short-term recharges and improve average revenue per user (ARPU), but sustaining growth will require more than pricing adjustments.

The company’s focus on long-validity plans suggests an attempt to lock in users for extended periods, reducing churn and ensuring predictable revenue flows. At the same time, the inclusion of unlimited data indicates a shift towards simplifying offerings in a market where users are increasingly overwhelmed by complex plan structures.

For now, Vi’s latest move signals intent whether it marks the beginning of a turnaround or remains a tactical response to competitive pressure will become clearer in the coming months.

Also Read: Airtel Shares the Best Ways to Connect With Its Support Team in 2025

Focus on Customer-Centric Innovation

The recognition highlights Airtel’s continued emphasis on operational excellence, customer-focused innovation, and its role in driving India’s digital transformation. The company described the honour as a reflection of the collective efforts of its teams and the trust placed in it by millions of stakeholders.

“This prestigious accolade reflects our unwavering commitment to operational excellence, customer-centric innovation, and the digital transformation of India. It is a testament to the collective dedication of our teams and the trust of our millions of stakeholders,” Airtel said.

Customer-first obsession

Bharti Airtel further stated that it remains committed to setting higher benchmarks in the telecommunications sector. “As we celebrate this milestone, we remain focused on setting new benchmarks in the telecommunications landscape and delivering sustainable value through technology and purpose-led growth, while maintaining our customer-first obsession,” Airtel added.

“When we look back, 2019 feels like yesterday, when we were fighting for survival,” said Shashwat Sharma, the newly appointed chief executive of Airtel, while receiving the award, according to an Economic Times report dated April 27, 2026.
“And from that day to this day, where we have this award, as the best company of the year,” he reportedly said. “It’s been a journey that tells us that we’re doing something right, with our business, with our customers and our people.”

Customer milestone

Airtel earlier this month announced that it has reached a 650 million customer milestone. According to GSMA Intelligence, Bharti Airtel ranks second globally by mobile customer base, with operations across India and Africa.

Airtel India

In India, the telco serves over 368 million mobile customers, more than 13 million homes with high-speed internet services, and over 15 million through its Digital TV offering.

Airtel Africa

With a base of over 179 million customers across 14 countries, Airtel Africa provides digital services including integrated mobile voice, high-speed data, and international roaming.

Airtel Money, the company’s mobile financial platform, serves over 52 million customers by offering banking and instant payment services to millions of previously unbanked users across the continent.

Reliance Jio, India’s largest telecom operator, has achieved a 5G user base of 268 million. This is the largest for any telecom operator in India, and also growing super fast. In Q3 FY26, this number was around 253 million. Jio has already deployed its 5G in most parts of the country, but is still trying to reach more areas where it can deploy the next generation wireless network. With 5G connectivity, users can do a lot more than just browse internet.

Read More – Jio Adds Most 5G FWA Subscribers in March 2026

One of the key things that happened recently is that more than half of the customer engagement for Jio is happening through its 5G network. Reliance Industries, in the latest quarterly performance report for Q4 FY26, said, “Jio’s network leadership in 5G continued to attract subscribers with total 5G subscriber base reaching 268 million as of March 2026. Customer engagement also remains robust with 5G now accounting for 55% of total wireless traffic.”

This is a big number, and given how fast Jio has been able to achieve it, shows the efficiency and effectiveness of the company in execution of what it promises to the investors and the customers. Jio’s total wireless user base has already surpassed 500 million and outside China is the biggest for any telco globally.

Read More – Jio EBITDA Margin Goes Up with Rising ARPU

As more users upgrade to 5G devices and 5G coverage expands in the coming quarters, Jio’s 5G user base is expected to grow further. The growth rate will slow down but for now it should be good as the market is now flooded with affordable 5G devices and there are many users who are still on 4G phones. 5G access is only offered to the customers who are recharging with 2GB daily data plans or more right now.

Jio has also launched new data packs, including the Youth and Gaming Pack and a Mega Content Add-on, for users seeking enhanced content benefits. Check out all the prepaid data packs from the operator:

Also Read: Reliance Jio Mega Content Plan Rs 500 and New Add-On Pack Rs 200 Benefits Detailed

Reliance Jio Prepaid Data Packs

1. Jio Data Pack Rs 11

Pack Type: Data Only Pack
Core Benefits: 10GB Data. Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 1 Hour

2. Jio Data Pack Rs 19

Pack Type: Data Only Pack
Core Benefits: 1GB Data. Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 1 Day

3. JioPhone Data Add-on Rs 26

Pack Type: Data Add-on
Core Benefits: 2GB Data. Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 28 Days
Effective Per Day Pricing: Rs 0.93

4. Jio Data Pack Rs 29

Pack Type: Data Only Pack
Core Benefits: 2GB Data. Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 2 Days
Effective Per Day Pricing: Rs 14.5

5. Jio Data Pack Rs 39

Pack Type: Data Only Pack
Core Benefits: 3GB/Day (9GB total). Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 3 Days
Effective Per Day Pricing: Rs 13

6. Jio Data Pack Rs 49

Pack Type: Cricket Offer: Unlimited Data
Core Benefits: 25GB Data. Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 1 Day

7. JioPhone Data Add-on Rs 62

Pack Type: Data Add-on
Core Benefits: 6GB Data. Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 28 Days
Effective Per Day Pricing: Rs 2.214

8. Jio Data Pack Rs 69

Pack Type: Data Only Pack
Core Benefits: 6GB Data. Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 7 Days
Effective Per Day Pricing: Rs 9.86

9. Jio Data Pack Rs 77

Pack Type: Sony Liv Data Pack
Core Benefits: 3GB Data. Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 5 Days
Subscriptions and Benefits: 30-day subscription to Sony LIV via the JioTV mobile App.
Effective Per Day Pricing: Rs 15.4

10. Jio Data Pack Rs 79

Pack Type: Cricket Data Pack
Core Benefits: 3GB Data. Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 30 Days
Subscriptions and Benefits: JioHotstar mobile subscription for 30 Days.
Effective Per Day Pricing: Rs 2.633

11. JioPhone Data Add-on Rs 86

Pack Type: Data Add-on
Core Benefits: 0.5GB/Day (14GB total). Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 28 Days
Effective Per Day Pricing: Rs 3.07

12. Jio Data Pack Rs 100

Pack Type: Cricket Data Pack
Core Benefits: 6GB Data. Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 30 Days
Subscriptions and Benefits: JioHotstar mobile subscription for 30 Days.
Effective Per Day Pricing: Rs 3.33

13. Jio Data Pack Rs 111

Pack Type: Youth and Gaming Plan – New Launch
Core Benefits: 5GB Data. Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 28 Days
Subscriptions and Benefits: 

The customer can select any one premium OTT option of their choice through the MyJio voucher:
Option 1 Gaming Pack: JioGame Mobile for 56 Days
Option 2 Youth Pack: JioGame Mobile, Fancode, Snapchat. Validity – 28 Days

Customers can enjoy the selected OTT option from the date of redemption. Redemption must be completed within 28 days of recharge.
Subscription to JioGames via JioGames App and Snapchat via MyJio App.

Effective Per Day Pricing: Rs 3.96

14. Jio Data Pack Rs 103

Pack Type: Flexi Data Pack
Core Benefits: 5GB Data. Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 28 Days
Subscriptions and Benefits: 

Customers can select any one premium OTT option of their choice through the MyJio voucher:
Option 1 – Hindi Entertainment: JioHotstar Mobile, SonyLIV, Zee5
Option 2 – International Entertainment: JioHotstar Mobile, FanCode, Lionsgate, Discovery+
Option 3 – Regional Entertainment: JioHotstar Mobile, Sun NXT, Kancha Lanka, Hoichoi

The selected OTT option is valid for 28 days from redemption. Redemption must be completed within 28 days of recharge.

Subscription to Sony LIV, ZEE5, Lionsgate Play, Discovery+, Sun NXT, Kanchha Lannka, FanCode and Hoichoi via the JioTV app.

Effective Per Day Pricing: Rs 3.679

15. JioPhone Data Add-on Rs 122

Pack Type: Data Add-on
Core Benefits: 1GB/Day (28GB total). Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 28 Days
Effective Per Day Pricing: Rs 4.357

16. Jio Data Pack Rs 139

Pack Type: Data Only Pack
Core Benefits: 12GB Data. Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 7 Days
Effective Per Day Pricing: Rs 19.86

17. Jio Data Pack Rs 149

Pack Type: Cricket Data Pack
Core Benefits: 10GB Data. Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 30 Days
Subscriptions and Benefits: JioHotstar mobile subscription for 90 Days.
Effective Per Day Pricing: Rs 4.97

18. Jio Data Pack Rs 175

Pack Type: Data Only Pack + 10 OTT
Core Benefits: 10GB Data. Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 28 Days
Subscriptions and Benefits: Access to Sony LIV, ZEE5, Lionsgate Play, Discovery+, Sun NXT, Kanchha Lannka, Planet Marathi, Chaupal and Hoichoi via the JioTV Mobile App.
Effective Per Day Pricing: Rs 6.25

19. JioPhone Data Add-on Rs 182

Pack Type: Data Add-on
Core Benefits: 2GB/Day (56GB total). Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 28 Days
Effective Per Day Pricing: Rs 6.5

20. Jio Data Pack Rs 195

Pack Type: Cricket Data Pack
Core Benefits: 15GB Data. Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 30 Days
Subscriptions and Benefits: JioHotstar mobile subscription for 90 Days.
Effective Per Day Pricing: Rs 6.5

21. Jio Data Pack Rs 200

Pack Type: Mega Content Add-On Pack – New Launch
Core Benefits: 5GB Data. Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 28 Days
Subscriptions and Benefits:

Includes access to YouTube Premium, Prime Video Mobile Edition and JioHotstar Mobile+Hollywood

Also provides access to Sony LIV, ZEE5, Lionsgate Play, Discovery+, Sun NXT, Kanchha Lannka, Planet Marathi, Chaupal, FanCode, and Hoichoi via the JioTV app.

To access JioGames Mobile, download the JioGames app and log in with the same mobile number.

Access to JioHotstar Mobile + Hollywood is provided via a coupon code in MyJio > Coupons > My Winning section. Users must log in with the same Jio number.

Effective Per Day Pricing: Rs 7.14

22. Jio Data Pack Rs 219

Pack Type: Data Only Pack
Core Benefits: 30GB Data. Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 30 Days
Effective Per Day Pricing: Rs 7.3

23. Jio Data Pack Rs 289

Pack Type: Data Only Pack
Core Benefits: 40GB Data. Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 30 Days
Effective Per Day Pricing: Rs 9.63

24. Jio Data Pack Rs 359

Pack Type: Data Only Pack
Core Benefits: 50GB Data. Post high-speed data usage, unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.
Validity: 30 Days
Effective Per Day Pricing: Rs 11.97

Conclusion:

As of this documentation, Reliance Jio offers a total of 24 data packs for its prepaid users, including five JioPhone data add-on packs.

Also in Reliance Jio 2026 Tariff Series:

Jio 84-Day Prepaid Plans: Reliance Jio 84-Day Validity Prepaid Plans: April 2026 Edition

Reliance Jio, India’s largest telecom operator in India, has improved its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) margin. This has happened due to a rising average revenue per user (ARPU) for the company. The telco improved its average revenue per user (ARPU) from Rs 213.7 in the previous quarter to Rs 214 in Q4 FY26. While this doesn’t look like a big jump QoQ (quarter-on-quarter), there is decent improvement year-over-year (YoY). In the same quarter previous year, Jio’s ARPU stood at Rs 206.2.

Read More – Jio Adds Most 5G FWA Subscribers in March 2026

Reliance Jio Added 9.1 Million Users During Q4 FY26

Reliance Jio reported a net profit of Rs 7,935 crore in Q4 FY26. This was up 13% from Rs 7,022 crore in the same quarter previous year. The best thing to have happened is the improvement of EBITDA margin by 2.3% YoY. The EBITDA margin for the telco stood at 52.4% in the last quarter of FY26 compared to 50.1% in the previous year. This shows that the telco has not only been adding new subscribers, but also improving margins on revenues.

Read More – WhatsApp Launches Prepaid Recharges for Indians

Jio added around 9.1 million users during the quarter, with a reported subscriber churn rate of 1.7%, one of the lowest churn rates in the industry. The telco also saw a 12.6% YoY growth in operating revenue led by stronger subscriber addition, improving ARPU, and continued growth in digital services.

Reliance Jio, India’s largest telecom operator in India, added the most 5G FWA (fixed-wireless access) subscribers in March 2026. Jio added 241,675 new 5G FWA users. Airtel, on the other hand, added 148,514 new 5G FWA users during the same time. This took Jio’s total 5G FWA user base to 8,584,110 (8.58 million) users while Airtel’s total 5G FWA user base reached 3,737,658 (3.73 million) users. Note that Jio and Airtel call their 5G FWA service AirFiber.

Read More – Vodafone Idea Adding Active Subscribers is Great

AirFiber is meant to bridge the connectivity gap that exists in the country. The telcos offer it in urban cities as well, where fiber can’t reach or be deployed easily. Deploying fiber is actually a hard and expensive thing. There are a lot of permissions involved and to lay the fiber, the telcos also need time.

With AirFiber, however, the telcos can reach more homes without laying fiber everywhere with high-speed broadband services. In India, there are a total of 12.32 million 5G FWA users right now. It is worth noting that Jio is also offering UBR (unclicensed band radio) services in the country, and is the only operator to do so.

Read More – Vodafone Idea, BSNL Add Subscribers in March 2026

Reliance Jio’s UBR base grew by 199,509 users, and reached 4,285,595 (4.28 million) users. So combined, Jio’s UBR service and 5G FWA service, both of which is branded under AirFiber, has reached 12.86 million in total. This means that Jio is adding a lot of home users in the AirFiber segment, far more than Airtel.

This is also due to Jio being ahead with deploying 5G SA (standalone). Airtel is now in the process of deploying 5G SA and is also looking to catch up with Jio in this segment. There are no other operators in the secnario, and it will be interesting to see when Vodafone Idea will enter the space.