Ever since Reliance Jio disrupted the telecom industry with its free 4G data and voice calls, the company has been the centre of attraction. The new telco expanded its territory into the broadband sector by announcing 1Gbps GigaFiber rollout in select cities, but rumours have been rife with details about Jio's entry into the DTH services.
According to some recent reports, Reliance Jio's DTH service would offer all the major channels at half the price. It is reported that 350 channels would be a part of a package, costing just Rs 185 per month, which is merely half the cost one would pay for Airtel Digital or Tata Sky. However, the rumours don't seem to stick this time.
According to RTN Asia, there is no information about Jio's plans to purchase DTH satellite spectrum or marketing and distribution network for its dishes and set top boxes. But the report says that most publications are getting the idea about Jio DTH wrong and simply confusing it with the JioTV app.
In addition to the free calls and 4G data, an important part of Jio's Welcome Offer is the unlimited access to Jio Apps, which cover a wide range of services, from entertainment to mobile payment and messaging and more. JioTV app and JioCinema offer users access to all the popular channels on mobile that most DTH services offer.
As mentioned, the access to channels, movies and music is offered only on mobile. But that's not the only way to access Jio entertainment services.
How can I get JioTV, JioCinema content on the TV?
You don't need an actual set-top-box to mimic what Jio DTH would offer otherwise. As long as you have a Jio SIM and access to MyJio apps, you can mirror the content on your smart television using screencasting feature such as Miracast. In case you do not have a smart TV, connect a Google Chromecast, which is available in the market for Rs 3,399, to cast your phone content on the big screen.
All of this can be done without having to pay for anything. JioTV offers access to several channels through YuppTV, nextGTV, Hotstar, and others. JioTV has some 350 channels, which can keep you entertained even without an active DTH connection at your home.
Other than the rumoured DTH service, the biggest talk regarding Jio is the possible extension of the free Welcome Offer by another three months. This would be exciting and most certainly a boon for mobile users, who have been taking advantage of Jio services for over two months now.
