RIL to launch 4G smartphones under LYF brand

Ahead of the full-fledged launch of its fourth generation telephony services, a unit of Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance Industries will unveil own-branded 4G LTE smartphones.

The LYF range of smartphones, which is being launched by Reliance Retail, would be equipped with features such as Voice over LTE, Voice over Wi-Fi, HD Voice and HD quality video calling, RIL said in a press statement.

Jio Infocomm, the wireless telecommunications and data services unit of RIL, is set to launch 4G services in December.

"The brand...will offer high performance handsets that deliver a true 4G experience comparable to the best in the world," RIL said.

The 4G-enabled phones will soon be available at multi-brand outlets and Reliance Retail stores across India.

A recent news report had indicated that domestic handset maker Intex secured an order for 1 lakh phones from Reliance Jio, of which 20,000 will be delivered soon. The handsets are priced under Rs 10,000 and Reliance Retail will distribute the devices, the report said. A Reliance Jio spokesperson did not comment on the tie-up.

Reliance Jio said that a substantial portion of its pan-India network roll-out has been completed. "The network is currently being tested and optimised. Most of the business platforms have been rolled out and are being tested in a limited use environment," it said.

The 4G launch by Reliance Jio is expected to give a fillip to digital businesses at large. Reliance Jio is the only firm to have a pan-India license for providing 4G services. It is also expected to shake up the market for other broadband service providers. Reliance Jio had acquired Infotel Broadband Services within hours of the latter winning nationwide wireless broadband licence five years ago.

As part of its December launch, RIL aims to unveil 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) smartphones in India at under Rs 4,000, it had said earlier. With 4G LTE, users can download videos, documents or songs in mere seconds while live streaming of full-length movies becomes seamless.

Over the next three years, Reliance Jio plans to more than double its optical fibre network and connect over one million homes through it by April 2016.

Ambani wants the firm to achieve 100 per cent penetration in India over the next three years.

Financial year 2016-17 would be the first full year of Reliance Jio's commercial operations.

Reliance Jio plans to provide 4G services using LTE in the 800 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2300 MHz bands.