Data wars : Reliance Jio vs. others

Abstract

The 5G implementation is sacred to the Indian Government. This is because 5G, a cornerstone for networked society, offers to bear a positive impact on GDP, employment, and digitalization. The Indian Telecom Industry has suffered a sour monopoly in 4G and VoLTE markets and does not seem ready for a repeat. To reap the impact, 5G implementation should be inclusive and indigenous. A coordinate effort by the industry, academia, and government is needed for 5G standardization, The Indian government has reached out to various Original Equipment Manufacturers to conduct 5G technology trials in India. Out of the six proposals received, China ZTE and Huawei are some of the big names. Reliance Jio has always enjoyed a premium position in the industry, due to its first-mover advantage as well as a pricing strategy. However, what shall be the operator’s strategy for the new 5G network? Should it tie-up with the device manufacturers earliest possible? Or should it launch its own make of a 5G phone? How would the competitors be strategizing not to allow Jio to take a bigger portion of the pie from the very beginning? All these questions were spinning in the head of Shyam Mardikar. He had to make a case before his boss Manoj Modi, next Monday morning.