Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) plans to alter the course of data services market by rolling out 4G mobile broadband services by the end of 2012 on tablets priced at $67.
The company initially planned to roll out 4G services on data cards that could be plugged into communication devices, but RIL now plans to bundle 4G services with low-cost tablets, which will cost one-fourth the price of a regular 3G-enabled tablet.
The data services offering will be priced as low 19 cents for 1 GB of data, about a tenth of current 3G prices.
RIL entered the mobile broadband sector by acquiring 95% stake in Infotel, which emerged as a successful bidder in all the 22 circles of the auction for Broadband Wireless Access 4G Spectrum conducted by the India’s Department of Telecom in June 2010. It is the only company to have pan-India spectrum to offer wireless broadband services on the 4G technology platform.
RIL’s foray into the sector may ring in good news for customers as it is likely to push down the prices of broadband services and boost Internet access across the country.
