Even after more than three years of acquiring 4G spectrum, there is a question mark on launch of 4G services by Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Jio. The company has already missed its earlier deadline of launching services in December, 2013.

Reliance Jio won spectrum in 2.3 GHz in September 2010, for operating pan-India broadband wireless access (BWA) services. Out of 20-year spectrum lease period, more than four years would have gone by the time the company would be in a position to launch services.

The company is laying its own network of optical fibre cable (OFC) and towers. It has also signed deals with RCOM, Bharti Airtel and Viom for using their passive infrastructure for launching its services.

However, electronics equipment on the networks is still missing. “I think it will be difficult to say whether the company would be able to launch services by the end of this year, though the target is to launch services by September,” said a person familiar with the developments.

                           

In an AGM of Reliance Industries in June last year, its group chairman Mukesh Ambani indicated that its 4G services would be available at affordable prices.

“Our vision for India is that broadband and digital services will no longer be a luxury item – a scarce commodity – to be rationed amongst the privileged few. We envision an India where these are basic necessities to be consumed in abundance by consumers and small businesses alike, as much in far-flung villages as in our largest cities,” said Ambani in the AGM.

However, in the absence of a robust eco system of 4G services in 2.3 GHz, it will be interesting to watch Reliance Jio’s strategy.