Indian full-service provider Reliance Jio Infocomm (Jio) has launched beta trials of its ‘True 5G’ service in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Varanasi, the Economic Times reports. Access to the service via Jio’s ‘True 5G Welcome Offer’ is available by invitation only. The development follows the launch of Bharti Airtel’s Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G service in eight cities earlier this month. In contrast to Airtel’s network, Jio’s system uses Standalone (SA) architecture. Jio is planning to launch commercial 5G services later this month and aims to achieve nationwide coverage by December 2023.
In a related development, meanwhile, Airtel is planning to utilise 5G-based fixed wireless services. The Financial Express quotes an Airtel official as saying: ‘5G fixed wireless access will significantly enhance digitisation of remote parts with low latency and high speed and we are investing in that.’