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Aug 25, 2023

[Explained] Reliance Jio AirFiber: What is it, Release Date, Features, and More.

Here's everything you need to know about Jio AirFiber!

Jio AirFiber is a new internet service from Jio that brings fibre-like speeds using a 5G network. Jio AirFiber allows users to establish personal Wi-Fi networks without wiring or connections. It offers simple plug-and-play functionality and easy to setup process.

With Jio AirFiber, Jio aims to provide 1,50,000 connections per day. Mukesh Ambani said, “Jio AirFiber uses a pan India 5G network to bypass the need for last-mile fibre. With Jio AirFiber, we can expand the internet to 150,000 connections per day.” Ambani further notes that with AirFiber, the company aims to reach a user base exceeding 200 million individuals for the Jio network.

Jio AirFiber will be released on September 19. It should be available to buy from Jio Mart and Jio stores.

Jio AirFiber aims to provide Fibre Broadband internet speeds over the air, without any wires. This is done via the help of the Jio True 5G network.

If you’ve used an old Netsetter or internet dongle, this is a Pro Max version. It uses Jio’s 5G network to bring high-speed internet to homes instead of an FTTH wired connection.

With Jio AirFiber, users can enjoy high-speed home Wi-Fi at home powered by Jio True 5G network. Users can use the AirFiber device like a router, but unlike routers, users can place it anywhere they want where there is a plug outlet. Jio AirFiber must be plugged into work, so it is not portable in the true sense.

Jio hasn’t revealed the pricing of Jio AirFiber nor the plans Jio will provide for AirFiber at the Reliance AGM event. We can expect an announcement regarding that soon, and we will be updating the same here.

Even though the price of Jio AirFiber is not yet out, previous leaks suggest that the device could be priced at around 20% less than similar offerings from Airtel. A previous leak suggests the device could be priced at around Rs 6,000.

As for plans, we don’t expect Jio to announce speed-based plans. Airtel Xstrean AirFiber is only offered in a single plan, without speed limits. We can expect Jio to offer the same.

Jio notes that Jio AirFiber will offer up to 1.5Gbps speeds, surpassing JioFiber’s 1 Gbps maximum speeds. Whether Jio AirFiber can provide constant 1.5Gbps speeds is to be seen; as we have seen with 5G networks, it seldom reaches gigabit speeds. The speeds will also vary by tower proximity.

JioFiber is the FTTH network from Jio, which uses fibre optic technology to provide broadband internet to home users. JioFiber needs a fibre optic connection to reach users’ homes and offer a high-speed internet connection. JioFiber offers stable high speeds but requires more dense infrastructure, such as societies, apartments, etc., to provide an internet connection.

As JioFiber requires a wired connection to each home to provide connectivity, the market penetration is low and isn’t available in every part of the country. With Jio AirFiber, the company aims to remove this restriction by making Jio AirFiber work on the company’s existing PAN-Indian 5G network. For Jio AirFiber to work, the company doesn’t need to provide the user with a wired connection to their home; rather, it is made over the air, using 5G.

Jio AirFiber and JioFiber’s main difference is this – the mode of connectivity. JioFiber uses a wired optic connection. While Jio AirFiber uses 5G to provide internet connectivity.

As the JioFiber would need to be connected to the optic cable from Jio, its router cannot be placed anywhere as we’d like. Jio AirFiber, on the other hand, just needs an AC port for powering it on.

JioFiber needs to be installed by Jio’s technician as it requires extensive optical fiber setup. Jio AirFiber, on the other hand, doesn’t need any technical intervention; as Jio notes, it is easy to install and manageable using an app.

Jio was the first company to announce AirFiber; the first announcement was made back in 2022 at the Reliance AGM. But time passed, and Airtel launched its own AirFiber called Airtel Xstream AirFiber shortly after, making it the first AirFiber to launch in India.

Jio AirFiber and Airtel Xstream AirFiber are similar services from two competing telecom giants. Airtel Xstream AirFiber offers almost all the features Jio AirFiber offers. It has Wi-Fi 6, can be installed easily by the customers, and can be managed via an app.

The main difference could be in the availability. Airtel Xstream AirFiber, although launched much before Jio AirFiber, is available only in two cities – Delhi and Mumbai.

Jio hasn’t revealed the price of Jio AirFiber yet.

Yes, Jio AirFiber is portable, but it needs an AC connection. It doesn’t have a battery, so it is not portable in the true sense.

Jio AirFiber provides internet connectivity using Jio True 5G network to offer fiber-like speeds.

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