Jio 4G handset is virtually free for users; what's the game plan?

This handset could rattle older rivals, but experts are sceptical about mass conversions for Jio

This story first appeared on Business Standard on 21/07/2017

In a move that may rattle its older rivals, already destabilised by some of the disruptive plans and freebies offered by it in the past months, Mukesh Ambani-backed Reliance Jio on Friday unveiled its ultra-low-cost 4G feature phone.
 
However, the success of the new Reliance Jio mobile phone would be pegged on 2G phone customers doubling their present monthly bill on mobile services.
 
For that to happen, the country’s average revenue per user (Arpu) – currently at Rs 80 for feature phone users and pegged at