Reliance Jio tries out TV services on 4G network

Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd is looking to offer television channels on its fourth generation (4G) broadband network. The company today ran trials of video calls and Jio television service on its 4G network at the Techfest event in IIT Mumbai campus.

As part of the entertainment bouquet, the company is planning live TV and video-on-demand, with HD viewing experience. It also includes Catch-up TV, which eliminates the need for recording programmes.

Jio television comes with the Catch-up feature that stores content for each channel for seven days, eliminating the need to remember to record any programme.

Reliance Jio has also deployed Wi-Fi network at select locations in the IIT campus.

Visitors will be able to experience benefit of high speed wireless connectivity for handheld devices (smartphones / tablets) over a blend of LTE and Wi-Fi networks.

The company is using the festival to try out some consumer 'beta' testing experience so as to improve the commercial product through the feedback they receive from customers.

Outlining the company's strategy, Mathew Oommen, president, strategy & products, Reliance Jio, said that more than 78 per cent of Indian content comes from outside. ''We must work towards shifting content to India. We should look at creating Health Exchanges to create affordable healthcare supported by broadband,'' Oommen said.

Reliance Jio has been holding broadband spectrum in 2300 MHz band for the last three years, but is yet to launch the services.

The company, however, has been working on the physical infrastructure needed to launch high speed 4G broadband services using a mix of cable, Wi-Fi and mobile base stations.

The company has done multiple deals with rival players, including Bharti Airtel and Reliance Communications for renting infrastructure capacity. It has also inked deals with content providers and has been in discussion with internet firms, including Google.