Idea Cellular is all set to jump in the affordable smartphone race. Raising concerns over how JioPhone is against Net Neutrality, Idea is also planning to launch similar devices at a slightly higher price.
Threat To Net Neutrality
The company has claimed that the JioPhone will affect Net Neutrality as it won’t allow users to use apps of their own choice and they will be forced to use Jio’s apps. Apart from this, the JioPhone will be compatible only with a Reliance Jio SIM. Talking about the threat to Net Neutrality because of Jio Phone, the company has said that it is working with OEMs to manufacture a similar phone.
Idea Cellular, on the other hand, is planning out smartphones that can compete with the JioPhone and let users experience 4G completely. Idea has made it clear that they’re not looking to fund a smartphone.
Idea Cellular CEO, Himanshu Kapania said, “Currently one of the biggest concerns for the company is net neutrality. As Jio Phone will never allow customers installing apps of their choice and will force consumers to install apps of an individual operator To tackle such concerns and give customers the freedom of choice for app installation, Idea is working with OEMs for launching a phone that will be slightly more costly than the Jio Phone but will deliver neutrality to consumers regarding app usage and installation.”
Unlike the Jio Feature phone, which was funded by Reliance, “Idea Cellular has no target to fund handsets”, Mr. Kapania said. Idea Cellular is rather working with handset manufacturers to cut the Bill of Material (BoM) cost to reduce the overall prices of the smartphone.
While the JioPhone, is a good and affordable product, it comes with a closed ecosystem. The JioPhone will work only with a Jio Sim and Jio apps to choose from.
Idea Cellular, in this regard, is planning to introduce a phone with an open choice of operator as well as applications. You may be able to install apps like WhatsApp and Facebook on these devices.
