Partnerships
Jio Pitches Unlicensed Wi-Fi Broadband to Comcast and Charter for Equity Stakes
By News Desk ·
Key takeaways
- Jio Platforms has held talks with Comcast and Charter about licensing its wireless broadband technology in exchange for potential stakes in the businesses.
- Jio's discussions with MTN Group broke down over valuation and certain licensing issues, according to two people familiar with the matter.
- Jio, which listed in Mumbai after a $3.2 billion IPO, is targeting 10 to 15 partners globally for its unlicensed band radio platform.
Jio Platforms has held talks with Comcast and Charter Communications about licensing its wireless broadband technology in exchange for potential stakes in the businesses, two people familiar with the matter said. Channel NewsAsia published the report on November 3, 2026.
How Jio's Wi-Fi Licensing Talks Work
Jio also held discussions with South Africa's MTN Group, but those talks broke down because the two sides could not agree on valuation and certain licensing issues, the people said. One of the people said MTN could not persuade Jio to invest at a satisfactory valuation. MTN said it does not comment on market speculation.
The people said there was no timetable for reaching a deal with any of the parties Jio has spoken to. Jio did not respond to Reuters queries, and spokespeople for Comcast and Charter declined to comment.
Jio's proprietary broadband technology runs on free, unlicensed Wi-Fi frequencies, which Reliance calls a "global first." The system works without cable connections to homes, using transmitters mounted on nearby towers or rooftops to beam high-speed internet over Wi-Fi frequencies to receivers installed on buildings. Jio said last week it was targeting 10 to 15 partners globally for the platform, which works on so-called unlicensed band radio.
MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita advocated satellite and terrestrial operators collaborate under a "same service, same rules" framework, arguing satellite networks complement terrestrial infrastructure, Businessday reported on October 28, 2026.
Jio's Scale After the $3.2 Billion IPO
According to akta.pro company records, Jio serves 524.4 million mobile subscribers, making it the largest single-country telecom operator outside China, and 268 million of those subscribers were on 5G as of March 2026. The same records show Jio controls 40% of India's telecom subscribers and handles over 20 billion minutes of voice calls monthly.
Jio's Listing and Market Debut
Jio Platforms' listing could re-rate the telecom sector, with Bharti Airtel and Reliance Industries as key beneficiaries, Business Standard reported in November 2026. Mainboard IPOs raised ₹44,451 crore in October, with Jio Platforms accounting for 68% of the total, Business Standard reported in November 2026. On October 5, 2026, the Department of Telecommunications terminated Reliance Communications' spectrum, and 23 days later Jio Platforms debuted at over Rs 13 lakh crore, Fortune India reported in November 2026.