Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited has revised its low-cost feature phone recharge structure after concerns raised by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) over potential discrimination in device-linked tariff plans.
The adjustment comes after the regulator flagged issues related to tariff plans being restricted to specific handset models, which could limit consumer choice in the telecom market.
Expansion of Plans Beyond Jio Devices
Earlier, Jio’s entry-level recharge packs were primarily available only to users of JioPhone and JioBharat devices. Following regulatory scrutiny, the company has now extended these plans to include 4G feature phones from other manufacturers.
This change allows users of keypad-based 4G phones from brands such as HMD Global, Lava International, and itel to access the same affordable recharge offerings on Jio’s network.
The revised availability has reportedly been updated across Jio’s official platforms following communication with the regulator.
Regulatory Concerns on Tariff Restrictions
TRAI had raised concerns that restricting tariff plans to specific devices could lead to unfair market segmentation and limit consumer access to uniform pricing.
The regulator also questioned the practice of making certain tariff plans available only through offline retail channels, stating that such offerings must be transparently available across all distribution platforms including websites and mobile applications.
In response, Jio has reportedly discontinued some offline-exclusive recharge plans and aligned its offerings with broader accessibility requirements.
Entry-Level Plan Structure
One of Jio’s key entry-level plans includes a ₹123 prepaid pack offering:
- 28 days validity
- Unlimited voice calling
- 0.5 GB daily data
- 300 SMS messages
Competing telecom operators currently offer similar entry-level 4G recharge plans starting at around ₹199, making Jio’s offerings relatively lower-priced in the segment.
Feature Phone Market Context
India continues to have a significant feature phone user base, with estimates suggesting around 220 million users, including a growing segment of 4G feature phone users.
Within this segment, multiple brands such as HMD Global, Lava International, and itel operate alongside Jio’s own JioBharat ecosystem, which holds a meaningful share in the affordable device category.
Summary
Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited has widened access to its low-cost feature phone recharge plans after regulatory intervention from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. The revised structure removes device-specific restrictions and improves uniform availability of tariff offerings across platforms and handset brands.
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