Jio Platforms Holds Talks with Comcast and Charter for Strategic Technology-for-Equity Partnerships
Jio Platforms is in advanced discussions with US telecom giants Comcast and Charter Communications to license its UBR technology through technology-for-equity partnerships. The move is part of Jio’s plan to develop its worldwide broadband operations amid rising competition in the US market.
The Jio Platforms, run by Mukesh Ambani, is allegedly in negotiations with other international telecom firms. Companies like Comcast and Charter Communications are part of this advance stage discussion. The parties involved are in discussions to possibly license Jio's wireless broadband technology in return for stock holdings.
The talks between Jio and MTN Group, a South African company, also broke down due to disagreements over valuation and specific licencing concerns. However, no firm has been approached regarding a timeline for a possible agreement.
Jio Now Going International
Jio, which is controlled by Reliance Industries, is aiming to grow globally by utilising its own unlicensed band radio (UBR) technology. Rather than utilising cable connections, the system makes use of unlicensed Wi-Fi frequencies to distribute high-speed broadband via transmitters installed on neighbouring buildings or rooftops. In the United States, cable companies like Comcast and Charter are facing increasing competition from fixed wireless and fibre providers for broadband customers, but this technology could let them offer cheaper services.
Approximately 28.3 million residential broadband subscribers were under Comcast's service as of the end of September. In June, though, Charter boasted over 29.4 million internet users. Customers have been defecting to rival providers for both of them. Last week, Jio announced its intention to build a technology platform with the help of 10–15 international partners. Reliance reported that the number of consumers powered by UBR has surpassed 6.5 million, while the business boasts approximately 15 million wired internet users in India.
JioHotstar Expands Streaming Service to MENA Region
JioHotstar, one of the biggest online streaming services in India, is increasing its presence in the MENA area. The platform has recently expanded internationally, reaching one of the world's biggest and most diverse markets for South Asian viewers. This follows the company's expansion throughout the UK, Canada, and Singapore.
Viewers in a number of MENA nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, and Morocco, among others, will have access to content in as many as ten languages upon debut. Some of these languages' variants include Bangla, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi. The website will support six languages and will broadcast movies, popular TV shows, and reality shows from JioStar TV, including Bigg Boss, which is now airing, and Koffee with Karan, which is coming up soon.
A collaboration between JioHotstar and STARZPLAY has allowed the service to debut in the MENA region. Instead of being available as a separate app, JioHotstar will now be accessible as a part of the STARZPLAY app and website. So, if users want to watch JioHotstar, they will have to subscribe to STARZPLAY every month, which includes JioHotstar. According to Amit Malhotra, Head of International Business at JioStar, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is an important target market because it is home to a sizable South Asian diaspora and has a voracious hunger for multilingual entertainment.
