Reliance Jio Surpasses 500 Million Users, Outpacing Combined Population of USA, UK, and France; Unveils New Offers
Milestone Reflects Digital Revolution, Boosted by Festive Promotions
Introduction
Mumbai: Reliance Jio, India’s leading telecom operator, has achieved a monumental milestone by crossing 500 million subscribers, a figure that surpasses the combined population of the United States, United Kingdom, and France approximately 480 million. This announcement, made on September 3, 2025, by Chairman Akash Ambani, marks the company’s ninth anniversary and solidifies its position as the world’s largest mobile data network.
Growth and Impact
The achievement underscores Jio’s transformative role in India’s digital landscape since its launch in 2016. By offering affordable data and free nationwide voice calls, Jio has enabled digital payments, video streaming, and public infrastructure like Aadhaar and UPI for millions. The rapid 5G rollout, completed nationwide by August 2023, has further fueled this growth, powering an AI revolution and fostering the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem with over 100 unicorns. This milestone comes ahead of Jio’s planned IPO in H1 2026, announced by Mukesh Ambani, potentially India’s largest.
New Offers and Promotions
To celebrate, Jio has rolled out attractive offers. From September 5-7, 2025, 5G smartphone users will enjoy unlimited data, aligning with the festive season. A special Rs 349 “Celebration Plan” (valid September 5 to October 5) includes unlimited 5G data, 2% extra digital gold via Jio Finance, and vouchers worth Rs 3,000 for platforms like JioHotstar, Zomato Gold, and EaseMyTrip. New JioHome customers can opt for a Rs 1,200 plan, offering two months of service with over 1,000 TV channels, 30 Mbps unlimited data, a WiFi-6 router, a 4K Smart Set Top Box, plus Rs 3,000 in vouchers and two months of Amazon Prime Lite.
Challenges and Outlook
However, a recent TRAI report noted a 3.76 million subscriber loss in October 2024 due to tariff hikes, though the current surge reflects strong recovery. Analysts suggest sustained innovation and infrastructure investment will be key to maintaining this growth, especially as global competitors eye India’s market. With 9 years of service, Jio’s vision of connecting every Indian continues to reshape the nation’s digital future.
