Reliance’s JioPhone made a big splash when it was announced as an effectively Rs 0 phone, but a lot of questions were raised in its aftermath. The company has finally seen fit to answer some of those queries in its updated page for the device, weeks after announcing the handset and in the middle of the first round of deliveries.
Over 6 million people have already pre-ordered the Reliance JioPhone, so it seems a bit late for the brand to tell people what the Terms and Conditions of buying it are. As it turns out, customers have to make at least Rs 1500 worth of recharges per year for 3 years. If they don’t, the telecom operator has the right to take back the feature phone.
Rs 1500 per year translates to Rs 4500 over a 3-year period. That’s a lot to ask as a commitment, especially for prepaid users who don’t stick to a particular amount per month. Jio’s own Dhan Dhana Dhan plan asks for Rs 153/month and a separate one asks for Rs 309/month to allow the JioPhone to project content to TVs.
Also See: Reliance Jio’s new 4G VoLTE JioPhone costs Rs 0
There are also Rs 24 and Rs 54 sachet packs which are valid for 2 days and a week, respectively. JioPhone owners who want to return the device before 3 years are up will have to pay an Early Return Charge. Even those whose unit was taken away by Reliance because of non-failure to buy vouchers worth Rs 1500 per year will have to pay the fine.
The Early Return Charge starts at Rs 1500 plus GST and other taxes at up to 12 months, drops down to Rs 1000 after 12 months but before 24 months, and finishes off at Rs 500 after 24 months but before 36 months. Reliance will only return the original Rs 1500 deposit once the Early Return Charge has been paid.
You can read the Reliance JioPhone’s Terms and Conditions and register for the handset here.