Reliance launches ‘free’ 4G JioPhone: Twitter erupts in appreciation, humour

Reliance Industries launched a low-cost phone with 4G-enabled features on Friday in a bid to woo 50 crore feature phone users in the country to its upstart telecoms venture Jio’s service.

Reliance Industries launched a low-cost phone with 4G-enabled features on Friday in a bid to woo 50 crore feature phone users in the country to its upstart telecoms venture Jio’s service.

Buyers can get the “effectively cost zero” JioPhone for a one-time security deposit of Rs 1,500 ($23.32), which will be refunded after 36 months on return of the phone. (Screengrab)

Buyers can get the “effectively cost zero” JioPhone for a one-time security deposit of Rs 1,500 ($23.32), which will be refunded after 36 months on return of the phone.

The phone will be available for pre-booking from August 24, said Reliance chairman, billionaire Mukesh Ambani at the petrochemicals-to-retail conglomerate’s annual general meeting (AGM).

Reliance Jio, the fourth-generation telecom arm of Reliance Industries, will provide unlimited data on the phone for Rs 153 per month.

Twitterverse was full of appreciation, criticism and humour at Reliance’s latest move. Sample some reactions: