Jio marks decade with budget 4G phone upgrade offer at Rs 299

Reliance Jio has unveiled an anniversary promotion coinciding with a decade of operations, targeting feature phone users seeking to transition to 4G technology. Under the scheme, eligible customers can upgrade to 4G-enabled smartphones at a significantly reduced effective cost of Rs 299, marking one of the telecom operator's most aggressive device promotion initiatives.

The move reflects Jio's broader strategy to drive smartphone adoption in India's vast market of 2G and feature phone users. By substantially lowering the entry barrier to 4G handsets, the company aims to expand its subscriber base and increase data consumption among previously unconnected or low-connectivity populations.

The offer details suggest that the actual mechanism likely involves trade-in schemes, subsidies, or bundled plans that bring the net device cost down to the advertised price point. Such promotional strategies are increasingly common in India's competitive telecom sector, where operators compete for market share by reducing barriers to technology upgrades.

The timing of the anniversary offer underscores Jio's evolution from a market disruptor to an established player focused on deepening digital penetration. The initiative aligns with India's broader digitalization goals and the ongoing push to transition users away from legacy 2G networks.