iWorld
Jio shifts gears as 5G, homes and AI deals drive quarter momentum
MUMBAI: If numbers could talk, they would probably say this, scale only matters when it moves fast. That was the clear subtext of the update shared by Anshuman Thakur, head of strategy at Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, during the earnings call following the company’s unaudited results for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2025.
Speaking on the transcripted call, Thakur traced Jio’s performance back to a long-standing strategy rooted in building proprietary, India-first technologies that work at global scale. That approach, he noted, is now fully embedded across Jio’s 4G and 5G core networks, fixed wireless access solutions and connected home platforms, all developed in-house to suit Indian price points and usage patterns.
Jio closed the quarter with over 515 million subscribers, adding 8.9 million net users, while its 5G base crossed 253 million. The shift to next-generation networks gathered pace, with 53 per cent of total data traffic now on 5G, easing pressure on 4G and improving overall service quality. Total data consumption crossed 60 billion GB, with per capita usage jumping from 32.3 GB to 40.7 GB, underlining how faster networks are reshaping consumer behaviour.
The company’s home broadband push also gathered momentum. Jio added more than one million homes every month for seven consecutive months, taking total fixed broadband connections past 25 million, including 11.5 million JioAirFiber homes. Wireless last-mile connections now dominate new additions, helping Jio gain over 800 basis points of market share in home broadband over the past year, with 70 per cent of incremental industry additions coming through its network.
Financially, the momentum translated into solid gains. Operating revenues for the quarter crossed Rs.37,000 crore, while EBITDA rose 16.5 per cent year-on-year to Rs.18,408 crore, delivering a margin of 56.2 per cent at the operating level. Consolidated revenues for Jio Platforms stood at Rs.37,262 crore, up 12.7 per cent, with profit after tax at Rs.7,629 crore. ARPU improved organically to Rs.213.7, driven by customer mix and value-added services rather than tariff hikes.
Beyond connectivity, partnerships and platforms added a fresh layer to the story. Offerings such as JioHotstar and the rollout of Google Gemini Pro to unlimited 5G users have boosted engagement while deepening Jio’s understanding of consumer behaviour. With proprietary networks, expanding enterprise services and a growing digital ecosystem, Jio appears to be turning technological self-reliance into a sustained competitive edge, one quarter at a time.
iWorld
Prime Video bets big on India with global originals, films and franchise expansion
Execs highlight scale, travelability and new IP bets as India anchors global strategy
MUMBAI: At Prime Video Presents 2026, the message was clear and confident. India is not just part of the plan, it is central to it.
In a lively fireside chat hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar, Kelly Day, vice president of prime video and amazon mgm studios international, Nicole Clemens, vice president of international originals, and Gaurav Gandhi, vice president for Apac and Anz, laid out an ambitious roadmap. Think bigger stories, wider reach and a sharper focus on building franchises that travel.
Kelly Day, a regular visitor to India, set the tone early. Calling the country “one of the most important markets globally”, she pointed to the sheer scale and diversity of audiences as a driving force behind Prime Video’s growth. Indian Originals, she said, are not just local hits but global engines powering subscriptions and engagement.
That global appeal is already visible. According to Clemens, around 25 percent of viewership for Indian content now comes from outside the country. Shows rooted deeply in local culture are finding fans worldwide, proving that specificity, when paired with universal themes, travels well. From gritty dramas to sharp thrillers, Indian storytelling is increasingly crossing borders with ease.
Clemens, who joined recently to lead international originals, was particularly upbeat about India’s creative range. She highlighted a growing slate of over 100 shows in development and production, with more than 60 percent returning for multiple seasons. For her, the formula is simple. Authentic stories, told well, resonate everywhere.
Adding to the buzz, she teased new and returning titles, alongside a fresh superhero universe, the Kalyug Warriors. It signals a push into new genres while doubling down on familiar fan favourites.
If content is king, distribution is the clever courtier. Day outlined Prime Video’s layered business model in India, which blends subscription, rentals, add on channels and ad supported viewing through Amazon MX Player. The idea is straightforward. Give viewers choice, whether they want premium, free or pay per view.
India, she noted, has also become a testing ground for innovation. Tiered pricing, mobile only plans and language diversity have all been sharpened here before being exported to other markets. In many ways, the India playbook is now influencing global strategy.
For Gaurav Gandhi, the next chapter is about scale with intent. He outlined four priorities. Making Prime Video more accessible, pushing Indian content globally, building stronger franchises and supercharging the films business.
On films, the platform is moving beyond licensing into co productions and now theatrical releases in partnership with amazon mgm studios. These films will eventually stream on Prime Video, creating a full circle from cinema halls to living rooms across 240 countries.
Franchise building remains another key pillar. With hits like The Family Man, Mirzapur and Panchayat already enjoying multi season success, the focus is now on creating the next wave of enduring IP. Newer titles are already lining up for second seasons, signalling a steady pipeline.
What stood out through the conversation was a shared belief. Streaming in India is still in its early innings, and the runway is long. With a mix of local flavour and global ambition, Prime Video is betting that stories from India will not just stay at home, but travel far and wide.
Or as the executives seemed to suggest, the world is watching and India has plenty more to show.
