Jio targets commercial 6G rollout in early 2030s, plans software-led network upgrade

Jio Platforms is developing sixth-generation (6G) telecommunications technology and expects to begin commercial deployment in the early 2030s, Managing Director Akash Ambani said on Thursday, outlining plans for a software-driven network upgrade that could significantly reduce the capital expenditure associated with the next phase of India's telecom revolution.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the company's proposed Rs 30,213-crore initial public offering (IPO), Ambani said Jio was preparing for the transition to 6G while continuing to expand its existing 4G and 5G networks. The company expects global standards for the next-generation technology to be finalised by 2029, paving the way for commercial services in the following decade.

"6G is on our horizon. What this really means is that we will do 6G as a software upgrade rather than a new infrastructure buildout," Ambani said at the IPO briefing, where he was accompanied by his twin sister Isha Ambani.

The announcement comes as Jio prepares for what is expected to become India's largest-ever public issue, with the offering scheduled to open on October 21 and close on October 23.

𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲-𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝟲𝗚

Ambani indicated that Jio's approach to 6G would differ from earlier generations of mobile technology, which required substantial investment in new telecommunications infrastructure.

Instead, the company intends to leverage its existing network architecture and introduce new capabilities primarily through software upgrades, potentially limiting the need for extensive fresh infrastructure development.

The strategy could allow Jio to deploy advanced services more efficiently while continuing to benefit from investments already made in its nationwide 5G network.

Ambani said the company was currently in the pre-standardisation phase of 6G development, with the technical specifications and international standards expected to emerge over the next few years. "The rollout of commercial 6G technologies will be in the early 2030s," he said.

The proposed timeline reflects the industry's broader transition towards next-generation networks, which are expected to offer higher data speeds, lower latency and more sophisticated connectivity capabilities.

However, the precise technical requirements and commercial applications of 6G will depend on the standards eventually adopted by the global telecommunications industry.

𝗝𝗶𝗼'𝘀 𝟱𝗚 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆

Despite preparing for 6G, Jio's immediate priority remains increasing the utilisation of its existing 5G infrastructure.

Ambani said the company's 5G network was currently operating at only about one-third of its potential capacity, leaving considerable scope for additional customers and greater data consumption without proportionate expansion of network infrastructure.

The company plans to accelerate the migration of subscribers from 4G to 5G, allowing more customers to benefit from faster mobile connectivity while improving returns on its existing investments.

Jio currently serves approximately 53 crore subscribers across its 4G and 5G networks, making it India's largest telecommunications operator by subscriber base.

Ambani said the company's technological strategy would continue to focus on making advanced digital services accessible to a broad section of the population.

He emphasised that the objective of future telecommunications technologies should be to improve everyday life and ensure that their benefits extend beyond premium customers and major urban centres.

𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝟯𝟰 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀

Jio Platforms has also outlined an ambitious expansion strategy, projecting the addition of approximately 34 crore subscribers over the next five years, through the financial year ending March 2031.

According to Ambani, around 10 crore of these additions are expected to result from population growth, while another 24 crore customers are projected to join Jio because of its services and competitive positioning.

If achieved, the projected additions would take the company's subscriber base from approximately 53 crore to around 87 crore by FY31.

The projections underscore Jio's expectations of continued growth in India's telecommunications market despite its already substantial subscriber base.

The company is seeking to capitalise on increasing demand for mobile data, expanding digital services and the adoption of more advanced telecommunications technologies.

However, the projected additions remain company estimates and will depend on market conditions, competition, customer adoption and other factors over the coming five years.

𝗥𝘀 𝟯𝟬,𝟮𝟭𝟯-𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗣𝗢 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟭

The technology roadmap was presented ahead of Jio Platforms' much-anticipated IPO, which will be the first public share offering from a major business of Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries.

The company plans to issue 27 crore new equity shares in a price band of Rs 1,065 to Rs 1,119 per share.

At the upper end of the price band, the offering would raise approximately Rs 30,213 crore, making it the largest IPO in India's capital market history.

The subscription window will remain open from October 21 to October 23, providing investors an opportunity to participate in the company's next phase of expansion.

The proposed listing is expected to draw considerable attention because of Jio's dominant position in India's telecom sector, its extensive digital infrastructure and its plans to develop future technologies.

𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮'𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

Jio's announcement highlights the company's intention to balance long-term technology development with more immediate commercial priorities.

While 6G remains several years away from commercial deployment, Jio is seeking to position itself for the transition by developing software capabilities and preparing its network architecture for future upgrades.

At the same time, greater utilisation of its existing 5G infrastructure and continued subscriber additions are expected to remain central to its growth strategy.

The combination of a proposed record-breaking IPO, ambitious customer acquisition targets and a software-led 6G roadmap reflects Jio Platforms' plans to expand its role in India's evolving digital economy.

The company's ability to deliver on these objectives will depend on the pace of technological standardisation, demand for advanced mobile services and the efficiency with which it can expand network capabilities while managing investment requirements.