Summary:
Reliance Jio’s 5G subscriber base has surpassed 268 million, making it the largest 5G network operated by a single telecom company outside China. Speaking at the Reliance Industries AGM, Akash Ambani said the company added 77 million new 5G users in the last year and plans to migrate its entire customer base to 5G by 2030. Jio AirFiber has also expanded rapidly, reaching 13 million homes and adding nearly 60,000 new connections daily. The company is increasingly integrating AI into its services while also exploring a sovereign Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation and building satellite broadband infrastructure to extend connectivity to remote, border, and island regions across India.
Reliance Jio’s 5G user base has exceeded 268 million, making it the largest 5G network run by a single telecom operator outside of China, according to Akash Ambani during the 49th Annual General Meeting of Reliance Industries Limited on Friday.
Over the past year, the company added 77 million net 5G subscribers and has set a goal of transitioning its entire customer base to 5G services by 2030. Ambani also pointed to the strong expansion of Jio AirFiber, which has already reached 13 million households and is currently connecting close to 60,000 new homes every day.
He stated that the company’s next major objective is to extend broadband connectivity to every corner of the country through Jio AirFiber.
Ambani further noted that Jio is integrating artificial intelligence across its consumer offerings to provide users with a more intelligent, seamless, and customised experience. He added that innovations created to address India-specific challenges could eventually become an important component of the company’s global business strategy.
Discussing satellite communications, Ambani revealed that Jio is exploring the creation of an indigenous Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network for India. In parallel, the company is leasing satellite capacity from major international operators to speed up service deployment while simultaneously developing its own long-term satellite capabilities.
Emphasising the importance of space-based connectivity, he said that after connecting India through terrestrial networks, the next step is to connect the nation through satellite infrastructure, enabling coverage in remote villages, island territories, and border areas.
To support these plans, Jio is establishing its own ground station network within India, creating the foundation for a comprehensive satellite broadband ecosystem and advancing the country’s self-reliance in satellite communications.
