Reliance Retail to start selling 4G LTE smartphones - LYF, ahead of RJio 4G service launch

NEW DELHI: Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Retail will soon start selling 4G LTE smartphones under the 'LYF' brand ahead of a planned 4G service launch from group company Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (RJIL).

The brand built on the premise of unmatched user experience will offer high performance handsets that deliver a  4G experience comparable in the world.

LYF range of smartphones with features like Voice over LTE (VoLTE), Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWi-FI), HD Voice and HD quality video calling will enable users to experience a new digital life.

LYF phones will reach consumers across the country through one of the widest distribution and retail network for smartphones. The devices will soon be available at multi-brand outlets (MBOs) and modern trade including Reliance Retail stores across India.

RIL is rolling out a state-of-the-art pan India digital services business. In addition to fixed and wireless broadband connectivity to offer superior voice and data services on an all-IP network, RJIL will offer end-to-end solutions that address the entire value chain across various digital services in key domains such as education, healthcare, security, communication, financial services, government-citizen interfaces and entertainment.

RJIL aims to provide anytime, anywhere access to innovative and empowering digital content, applications and services, thereby propelling India into global leadership in digital economy.

The company is the first telecom operator to hold pan India Unified License. It holds the highest amount of liberalised spectrum among telecom operators totalling to 751.1MHz across the 800MHz, 1800MHz and 2300MHz bands.

RJIL plans to provide seamless 4G services using LTE in 800MHz, 1800MHz and 2300MHz bands through an integrated ecosystem.

The combined spectrum footprint across frequency bands provides significant network capacity and deep in-building coverage. In addition, RJIL has filed intimation for sharing of spectrum in the 800MHz band with RCOM across seven circles to DoT.

RJIL has substantially completed its network roll-out across the country. The network is currently being tested and optimized. Most of the business platforms have been rolled out and are being tested in a limited use environment. Large number of testers have been employed by the company across the country to facilitate extensive testing of network and business platforms. The initial results have been positive.

The company expects to ramp up its beta program over the next few weeks to further optimize the network, prior to commercial launch of operations. Financial year 2016-17 is projected to be the first year of commercial operations for RJIL.

RJIL has successfully demonstrated Lawful Intercept and Monitoring (LIM) facilities for LTE Data and Voice, Video & Messaging Services and International Long Distance voice services to Department of Telecommunications (DoT). It has also successfully completed Acceptance Testing of its network in all circles with DoT for Intra circle and Inter circle Mobile Number Portability.