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Reliance Jio FAQs – Getting SIM, Free 4G, Compatible Devices & More

Narender Singh

Reliance Jio is probably one of the most trending topics right now, thanks to its lavishing offer which provides free & unlimited voice, data (4G) and SMS service for three (3) months (or more). If that wasn’t enough, the preview offer also entitles the users’ unlimited access to key Jio digital services – Jio OnDemand, Jio Play, Jio XpressNews, Jio Mags; etc. That said, everything is not clear and hence we’re trying to answer some of the most frequent questions and doubts which people have regarding Reliance Jio.

Reliance Jio – Basics

Don’t confuse Reliance Jio with Reliance Communications as both are different companies and have different deployment, offerings and plans. Reliance Jio is a modern LTE network being introduced by Reliance Industries, led by Mukesh Ambani. On the other hand, Reliance Communications is managed by Reliance Group, led by Anil Ambani.

What does Reliance Jio Offer?

Reliance Jio offers (or plans to offer) 4G broadband, Jionet WiFi (wifi hotspots), hardware devices and digital services via its various apps. Jionet WiFi provides internet access to a large number of users at big institutions and public places. The basic 4G service includes data as well as voice services and requires a VoLTE capable device to make and receive calls.

Is Reliance Jio available in my city/town?

Reliance Jio aims to provide services to 90% of India’s population in the next 18-24 months. Currently, Jio services are available PAN-India in well-known cities and towns.
The best way to check the availability in your town is by reaching out to customer care or by manually searching for networks using a 4G capable device. If you see Jio listed under available networks, the chances are that Jio services are already available in your area.

Which cellular bands does Jio work on?

Jio owns spectrum in 800 MHz and 1,800 MHz bands in 10 and 6 circles, respectively, of the total 22 circles in the country, and also owns pan-India licensed 2,300 MHz spectrum. The spectrum is valid till 2035.

Different frequencies are deployed in various towns, hence network reliability and performance will differ from region to region.

Compatible Devices with Jio 4G

Since Reliance Jio is deployed over 4G frequencies, it only works on modern 4G enabled devices. Existing devices which do not have hardware support for 4G services will not be supported. For best performance, you need to own a VoLTE compatible device so that voice calls can be easily made. If your 4G enabled does not have VoLTE support, voice calls can still be made by making use of the Jio Join app, but the call quality will not be as great as those made via devices with native VoLTE support.

Is my smartphone compatible with Jio 4G?

If you have recently purchased a 4G enabled smartphone in India it will most likely be compatible with Jio 4G networks. Most of the smartphones sold in 2015-16 costing more than 10,000 have support for Jio 4G frequencies. You can check the manual of the device to read detailed specifications about supporting cellular bands for LTE.

Is there any list of compatible devices?

Yes, Jio publishes a list of both 4G and True 4G (VoLTE) smartphones over at its website. However, the list is not updated to include recent smartphone launches. Still, it gives a good idea if your smartphone is supported.

4G Devices – No  VoLTE Support
4G Devices – VoLTE Support

I have a 3G Smartphone. Is there a way to use Jio services?

Reliance Jio only works on 4G compatible hardware. So you will not be able to receive Jio network on your 3G or 2G supported device.

Jio Preview Offer – Free Access for 3 Months

Reliance Jio is yet to begin commercial operations, but for beta-testing purposes, Jio is offering free unlimited access to all Jio services for 3 months. The 3-month period can be (and will be) extended further until Jio rolls out commercial services. It is expected that the commercial rollout will happen in the month of December 2016.

The Jio unlimited preview offer is available in 4 different forms:

  1. On LYF Devices – Available everywhere
  2. On JioFi Device (hotspot/dongle) – Available everywhere
  3. On Partner Devices – Available almost everywhere
  4. On any 4G Device – Available at some places, but expanding

Which LYF Devices are Eligible for Preview Offer?

Currently, all LYF smartphones support 4G, including VoLTE. You are eligible to get Jio preview offer on any LYF smartphone.
However, you might be needed to present a purchase invoice in order to get the Jio SIM with preview offer.

Which Partner Devices are Eligible for Jio Preview?

All smartphones from Samsung, Micromax, Karbonn, Lava, Xolo, LG, Gionee, Panasonic, ASUS, Yu, TCL and Alcatel which support 4G or 4G VoLTE are eligible to take the free Jio preview offer.

For a complete list of devices, please view this page on Jio website.

My manufacturer is not listed under Partners. Can I get a Jio SIM??

Yes, if you’re lucky you can still get a SIM card. Many Reliance Digital stores are currently offering the Jio SIM card with preview offer to any 4G device, even if it is not made by one of the listed partners.
Such SIM cards are activated under the Jio Open Offer and can be used on any 4G enabled device.
The store staff can deny your request for the SIM card because there is no communication from Reliance in the public domain that all 4G devices are eligible for preview.

Where and How to get the Jio SIM with Preview Offer?

You can get a Jio SIM card from any Reliance Digital or Reliance Digital Xpress Mini stores in your region.

Documents required for getting Jio SIM:

  1. A passport-size photograph
  2. A photo ID and address proof
  3. Invoice/Bill – for LYF smartphones
  4. Offer code (barcode) – for partner devices
  5. Partner 4G phone to show – asked in some stores

To generate the barcode (on partner devices):

  1. Download MyJio app from the Play Store
  2. Open MyJio and choose to Install all Jio apps
  3. Upon installation, restart MyJio app and you will see the Get Jio SIM option. Tap on it and generate the barcode.

There are hacks available to generate the barcode on non-partner devices by making use of an older version of MyJio app, but users might face issues in activating the unlimited preview offer because IMEI is matched at this point. You should inform the Reliance Digital store staff that you do not have a partner device so that they can put your SIM under the Jio open offer instead of the partner preview offer.

How much does Jio SIM cost?

The Jio SIM with preview offer is currently being provided free of cost at Reliance Digital stores.

However, your local mobile recharge shop owner can charge you some amount for delivering his services. This charge is currently between ₹50-200. The 90-days preview offer is still a fantastic deal even if you are required to pay a small amount for availing the SIM.

How long does it take to to activate the Jio SIM?

It can take upto a week before your SIM gets activated after submitting the required documents at the store.

You will receive communication about the status of your application via text messages on your alternate mobile number.

When the store staff uploads the CAF and KYC documents to the portal, you will receive a text message with your application number for the Jio connection.

The back-end staff then verifies your documents to approve or deny your application. If approved, you can proceed to tele-verify your SIM card and start using Jio services.
If your application is declined, you will be needed to present a new set of clear documents and fill out the CAF again.

How to complete tele-verification?

To overcome possible errors during processing your application, Jio requires that you tele-verify your SIM in order to active voice and data services on your Jio number.

Tele-verification is an IVR based process where system asks for a part of the serial number of your identity documents which you submitted during your application. Example – the system will ask you to key in the last 4 digits of your Aadhar card.

To televerify, please dial:

  • 1977 from your Jio number – To activate both data and voice services.
  • 1800 890 1977 from any number – To activate only data services.

Can I use a Jio SIM card claimed with a LYF device on another smartphone?

No. A SIM card issued with a LYF smartphone can only be used on that particular device as it is IMEI locked to only work on LYF smartphones.
However, you will be able to use this SIM card in any 4G enabled smartphone after the expiry of Jio preview offer.

Can I use a Jio SIM card claimed with a partner device on another smartphone?

Yes. After successful activation of Jio preview offer on the partner device, you can insert the SIM card in any 4G enabled smartphone to enjoy the Jio preview offer.

What happens after the 3-month preview period?

After expiry of the 3-month preview period, there can be two situations:
  • Jio services are commercially launched – You will be informed of the available data and voice plans, and you can recharge the SIM card with appropriate amount to continue enjoying data and voice services on your Jio number.
  • Jio services aren’t commercially launched – The preview offer on your SIM card will automatically be extended for another 30-days. The process will continue till Jio services are commercially launched, and available plans are communicated to you.

 

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