Google, Reliance Jio Working Closely to Launch Affordable Smartphone in India: Sundar Pichai

According to Google CEO, Mr. Sundar Pichai, Google and Reliance Jio partnered to develop affordable smartphones in India and the development is going at a rapid pace.

In 2020, both the company collaborated for a commercial agreement to bring affordable smartphone to citizens and meet the rising demand for smart phone and internet connectivity among large population.

Google while signing the contract also acquired ~ 7.7% stake in Reliance Jio for Rs. 33,737 crore (US$ 4.64 billion).

Mr. Pichai stated that the organisations are collaborating to launch a smartphone with full focus and dedication to make development on the project. Any price details or information on the features of the smartphone were not disclosed.

Reliance Jio made the day-to-day internet transformation in the telecom sector in India at the time of its launch. The company now aims to tap a large rural population in India by launching an affordable smartphone by collaborating with Google. Accessibility to affordable smartphones along with affordable internet data plans when coupled with government service delivery initiatives have the potential to make the internet accessible to a large population.

Mr. Pichai added that said that the pandemic has proved the significance of the internet and technology in everyday life. To meet the rising demand of digital applications amid the pandemic, the company has accelerated its offering including products such as Google Meets, and ensure that the application function seamlessly on the internet networks of the telecom firms.

Google’s move to acquire ~ 7.7% stake in Reliance Jio is part of the company’s ‘Digitisation Fund for India’ under which it plans to invest funds worth Rs. 75,000 crore (US$ 10.31 billion) over the next 5-7 years to accelerate access to digital technologies among citizens.

Source: IBEF