Qualcomm, Mukesh Ambani’s Jio Team Up to Ready 5G for India

Indian billionaire, Mukesh Ambani’s Jio Platform Ltd. is partnering with Qualcomm Inc. to develop 5 G solutions and enable consumers to bring the high-speed network to the world’s No. 2 mobile sector.

According to the statement of Jio’s stakeholder, which includes the tycoon’s wireless operator, and it’s completely owned U.S.-based unit Radisys Corp. is partnering with Qualcomm Technologies to “fast track the development and roll-out of indigenous 5G network infrastructure and services in India.

Although India has yet to deal with 5 G airwaves, Ambani has been planning Jio for the fifth-generation wireless service with what he considers an in-house-developed technology. That means that his carrier won’t have to invest much to move to a new system, unlike some of his rivals, according to him. This also leaves Jio immune to political conflicts over Chinese equipment suppliers that global operators are embroiled in.

Ambani has also expressed interest in supplying the technology to other carriers if it is successfully rolled out in its home market. Jio was introduced in India four years ago, offering free calls and cheap data. Significantly, it is the nation’s largest carrier with some 400 million subscribers. The company is planning to launch a low-priced 5 G smartphone that will potentially cost less than $40.