Jio, the telecom company that changed the phase of mobile internet usage in India. Recently launched JioPhone is one of its kind with the plethora of features offered at no cost. However, every telecom or companies main motto is to make a profit. So, let’s look this JioPhone in a critic angle to find its hidden secret.
The pre-booking for Jiophone has already started from 15th August 2017. Still, there are a lot of unanswered questions regarding famous Jiophone. Here are the few questions and explanations about JioPhone.
The Jiophone costs nothing as I receive my 1500 after three years.
Reality: Though this is true up to an extent, here are the few more points that you have to consider. The JioPhone offers single SIM card slot, that comes with the network locking feature just like western countries. Even though the hardware supports other networks SIM card, the device will be encrypted to read only Jio SIM.
To get a refund of the cautionary deposit, one has to return the device after three years. There is no way to break the contract in the middle, so one has to wait till three years with the phone being in mint condition. The JioPhone will be powered by custom operating system specially developed for the device, the device does support video on demand features like Jio Movies, Jio Mag, and Jio Music but one may not be able to install third party apps whatsoever.
Is JioPhone network locked?
From the first impressions, yes. JioPhone can only read or detect Jio 4G LTE network. It makes sure that company will receive remittance time to time. However, there might be accoutrement to unlock it after stipulated time frame.
What happens to my 1500 refundable deposit if phone breaks within 3 years?
It’s more of a tricky question. Jio might partially refund or provide a new handset by charging additional fees.
What happens if I lose the phone?
Then, for most of the cases, the refundable deposit is forfeited and one has to get duplicated SIM card and by paying a certain amount to get a new handset.
What if I am no more interested in the JioPhone (within three years)?
According to few analyst, there will be partial refund, depending on the condition of the handset and recharges done (this does play an important role). One has to spend at least INR 153 per month to enjoy free data and voice calls.
What if I don’t recharge regularly?
As the company already has INR 15,000 deposit, the company may deduct the amount from time to time. So, reading the terms and conditions paper at the time of booking or handset delivery does play an important role.
Though the tariff plans start at INR 20, a user has to spend at least INR 153 per month to use the basic features like calling or surfing the internet. If one doesn’t recharge for a time span of 3 months, the device might not work, and the owner has to pay additional fees to re-activate the device. As the device is built to serve non-smartphone users, it may not offers Wi-Fi offers.
Looking at the concept of net neutrality, as the JioPhone comes with pre-installed apps and doesn’t support third party apps, one may land up in using just Jio services. According to laws of net neutrality, one should freely access the web without any restrictions what so ever. In the future, the tariff plan may shoot-up and it may not be affordable at all (as Jio has already increased their unlimited plan from 303 to 399 in just three months for the similar benefits.
We have been fighting for the net neutrality for a long time, hope these attractive offers doesn’t blind us.
FYI: these are our speculations, there are no updates from the company or what so ever, don’t consider these as a legal guidance or official statements. For further updates keep looking at our portal.