Does Reliance Jio makes sense without Prime?

With only half of the subscribers reported to have opted for Jio Prime membership while the other half still remain Jio users is it worth being a part of Jio network?

Aseem Manchanda quoted sources that claimed only 6 crore people have subscribed for Prime till March 30, the deadline for which was given more than a month in advance.

Reliance Jio Prime Membership crosses 60 million as per company officials. @ZeeBusiness @reliancejio

— Aseem Manchanda (@aseemmanchanda) March 30, 2017

Media reports showed that till March 28, Reliance Jio received 12 crore paid subscriptions however the company’s clarification on its total subscribers is still awaited.

More than one third data for Jio Prime

Jio Prime offered its subscribers nearly one third more data than the regular Jio subscribers.

The Rs 303 plan will offer Prime users 1GB data per day for 28 days i.e. 28 GB a month; while its ‘non-Prime’ users would get only 2.5GB for the whole month (28 days).

Both plans entail unlimited voice calling – local, STD and roaming to all operators for a period of 28 days.

However, post the conclusion of 4G data quota the company will allow customers to browse at 128Kbps.

Also Read: Is Reliance Jio really offering you broadband internet?

Jio Prime’s Rs 499 plan offered 56 GB of 4G data for 28 days, fair usage policy capped at 2GB per day; however non-Prime members will only get 5GB at 4G speed for the month.

The highest plan offered on Jio network for prepaid customers is Rs 9,999 that offers 750 GB for a year to Prime members and just 200 GB to non-Prime for a month.

Merrill Lynch survey results on March 22 showed that Jio users thought there was not much difference in the company’s LTE network and other operator networks.

Nearly 350 out of 1000 respondents said that Jio speeds were inconsistent and 50 people said that there was no difference in speeds between other networks and Jio, the survey data showed.

Also Read: 71% respondents say Reliance Jio 4G speeds have slowed down

How to disconnect

So if you aren’t happy with Jio and you do not wish to continue with its services post today the procedure to disconnect is pretty straightforward.

For prepaid customers

Prepaid users just have to take their SIM card out of their phones and not touch it for a period of 90 days and ensure that balance is below Rs 20.

“In case of non-usage (no voice/video calls, outgoing SMS, data usage or usage of Value Added Services) for a continuous period of 90 days or more, the mobile number will be deactivated at the discretion of Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited,” the company said.

However; the company has given a few caveats to the above rule.

In case the available balance in the customer’s main account is more than Rs 20 at the expiry of 90 days of non-usage period, Automatic Number Retention Scheme will be put into effect.

"Rs 20 will be deducted from your account and the non-usage period will be extended by 30 days. This process will continue till the balance in your account is less than Rs 20, post which your number will be deactivated,” the company said.

The second caveat read, “The Jio mobile number can be reactivated by making payment of Rs 20 within 15 days of deactivation due to non-usage. Number will be disconnected on non-payment of said fee within this period.”

For post-paid customers

Post-paid customers as well will be privy to automatic deactivation of SIM card post non-usage of 90 day period.

The company defines ‘non-usage’ as, “No voice/video calls, outgoing SMS, data usage, usage of Value Added Services or payment of rental.”

However the company said that customers can opt for ‘Safe Custody Scheme’ in case of continued non-usage, subject to Rs 50 taxes per month for three months (90 day period) and can then retain using their mobile numbers.

Jio further added, “Customer can request for restoration of number within the Safe Custody period and in such an event the number shall be re-activated within 24 hours.”

An article by NDTV Gadgets 360 said that post-paid customers have to call up customer care, or to visit a Jio store, and ask for their number to be disconnected.

“If you're planning on doing this, make the call before April 1 so no charges are attached to your account,” the report further said.