A recent report heralds JioAirFiber as a game-changer for connectivity in India through its 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) service. Boasting high-speed, low latency, and appealing pricing, JioAirFiber is positioning itself as a viable alternative to traditional wired broadband connections for households and small to medium-sized businesses.
GlobalData, a prominent data and analytics firm, notes that JioAirFiber’s plans begin as low as $7.2 (₹599) and is already available in eight Indian cities, offering speeds of up to 1 Gbps.
The Game-Changer JioAirFIber
Pradeepthi Kantipudi, a telecom analyst at GlobalData, highlights the strategic focus of Jio on the approximately 80% of data consumption that occurs indoors. JioAirFiber combines digital entertainment, high-speed broadband, and smart home solutions to cater to this segment, simplifying connectivity for homes and offices, facilitating seamless connectivity for multiple devices, including smartphones, PCs, tablets, smart TVs, and set-top boxes.
Additionally, this 5G FWA service can meet various connectivity needs, including cloud PCs, security and surveillance, and smart home IoT. By reducing costs and overcoming last-mile constraints, it is expected to expand access to online services, bridging the digital divide and advancing India towards a premium digital society.
FWA leverages 5G mmWave technology to deliver high-speed internet wirelessly to both urban and rural areas, making it a cost-effective solution. It can serve institutions like schools, hospitals, and town halls, addressing connectivity challenges in remote regions.
In August, Bharti Airtel also launched its 5G FWA service, Airtel Xstream AirFiber, at a monthly rental price of $9.6 (₹799) in select cities. This development underscores the growing interest among telecom providers in FWA services as a means to extend broadband access to underserved areas and present an alternative to wired connections.
The bundling of smart home services, digital channels, and over-the-top (OTT) subscriptions is expected to boost the adoption of this innovative service in India.
JioAirFiber has initially rolled out in eight cities, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune. Their plans are categorized into AirFiber and AirFiber Max, offering various speed options at different price points. AirFiber Max will be available in select areas.
