Free set-top-box with every Jio broadband connection

New Delhi: Telecom operator Reliance Jio is likely to provide free set top box with its every broadband connection to woo direct-to-home and cable TV customers, according to a source privy to the development.

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led company is slated to launch optical fibre-based JioFiber broadband service from September 5. "All JioFiber customers will get complimentary set top box," the source said.

Reliance Industries CMD Mukesh Ambani has announced that JioFiber customers will get free voice calls for life from landline, 100 megabit (mbps) to 1 gigabit per second broadband speed for subscription starting from Rs 700 a month and a free HD TV set on commitment to an annual plan.

According to the source, JioFiber customers will have access to movies and other video content of leading entertainment mobile apps, whose subscription fee will be bundled in the monthly broadband connection rates and no separate charges will be levied.

"The STB will also provide video calling service on TV sets. The customer will need to attach a camera with the STB for the service," the source said. Email query sent to Reliance Jio did not elicit any reply. According to experts, JioFiber is likely to dent business of direct-to-home players.

Early this week, Bharti Airtel announced a new STB for Rs 3,999 on Xstream platform to offer content of video streaming mobile apps, except few leading over-the-top players, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Videos and Hotstar.