As Reliance Jio continues to receive increased hype and has technically chosen to extend the much required 4G Preview Offer to users of all 4G smartphones across India, the mobile communications and telecommunication sector in the country has received yet another shot in the arm with mobile data pack validity now being extended for a period of one year.
As per earlier norms, smartphone users could enjoy mobile data for a maximum period of 90 days from the date of activation of a mobile data pack.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has set new norms that let mobile subscribers enjoy data up to 365 days, reported the Press Trust of India.
The latest initiative by TRAI is expected to benefit first-time internet users preferring to go online via their smartphones, and also enhance the experience of current mobile subscribers.
"After undertaking a consultation process, TRAI has notified the 10th amendment to the TCPR (Telecom Consumers Protection Regulations) permitting the maximum validity of 365 days for data-only STVs instead of prevailing maximum validity of 90 days," a TRAI spokesperson said.
The above announcement by TRAI could cause frustration among Indian telcos as a majority of their mobile internet packs come with a much shorter validity, which is generally 28 days.
Reliance Jio vs Indian telcos
As soon as Reliance Jio made its 4G Preview Offer public, major Indian telcos like Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular have been looking at ways to retain its current subscriber base. This has also led to Airtel very recently coming up with a 10 GB data offer to users of Samsung Galaxy J smartphones (both existing as well as new).
Airtel subscribers can avail 10 GB data at Rs 250. In areas without 4G connectivity, Airtel customers can enjoy 10 GB 3G data at Rs 250.
Bharti Airtel, with other major Indian telcos, has also forwarded a complaint to the Government criticising Reliance Jio's current approach of rolling-out full-fledged services in the form of a trial offer.
The official full release of Reliance Jio services in India is expected by October this year. This could lead to increased competition, which could eventually lead to further reduction in data costs and voice call tariff.
