Battle Lines are Drawn as Reliance Jio Preps to Launch UHD Smart TVs with Content Services


BENGALURU: Reliance Industries has its eyes on the prize as it sets out to redefine the country’s LTE based content services by building the desi version of Netflix. In a new turnout of events, Reliance Retail is planning to introduce a series of ultra-HD smart TVs for its sister company Reliance Jio Infocomm. The company intends to launch two 4K UHD smart TVs with 50 inch and 65 inch screen sizes, under the LYF brand and will be made available through Reliance Digital. The news is further evidence of the fact that Reliance is going all out to capture the highly competitive Indian 4G market.

“The smart TVs are most likely to be launched under the LYF brand. However, the final call hasn’t been taken,” a source told ET. “Jio will also be offering unique combination of products, services and applications on its platform.” The TVs will run on Android 4.4 with features such as 2 GB RAM, Wi-Fi connectivity, HDMI port and USB ports. They are expected to be procured from third party manufacturers in China–the same strategy used for getting hold of the smartphones for its telecom service. The TVs will be priced competitively at 55,900 for the 50-inch model and 1.55 lakh for the 65-inch premium device.

In addition, the company’s “unique combination of products” that was mentioned earlier may include paid content services such as high definition TV shows, on-demand video and music streaming at affordable prices. It does not end there, as the company is also planning to build their own app store called the Jio World. The store will offer wide arrays of native apps like Jio Beats, Jio News, Jio On-Demand, Jio Drive and Jio Play, reports Hindustan Times.

Last year Reliance launched 4G services for its employees and is expected to commence its commercial 4G services by April-May. Reliance Jio will cover an estimated 80 percent of the country’s total population and the remaining 20 percent by 2018. However, Jio has a tough task up front as rivals like Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular, have all made their mark in the 4G arena. Then again, with the economic might of India’s largest business conglomerate now entering the fray, the 4G battleground is sure to get more heated up.

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