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Byte-sized ownership: Bytepe turns smartphone dreams into subscriptions
MUMBAI: Why buy when you can subscribe? Bytepe, India’s first tech subscription platform, is reprogramming the way Indians think about smartphone ownership, with a model that swaps EMIs for easy monthly subscriptions and outdated devices for yearly upgrades.
Founded by serial entrepreneur Jayant Jha, the former Flipkart leader who co-founded and sold Yaantra to Flipkart, Bytepe promises to make premium smartphones, including the latest iphone 17 series, more accessible, affordable, and flexible than ever before.
“With Bytepe, we’re democratising luxury,” said Jha. “After years of watching consumers get locked into long EMIs and old devices, we wanted to create a model that’s lighter on the wallet, better for the planet, and puts control back in the user’s hands.”
The concept is refreshingly simple: pick your phone, pay a monthly subscription that’s lower than traditional EMIs, enjoy 100 per cent damage protection, and upgrade every year, no hidden costs, no long-term lock-ins. Bytepe also offers its own Bytepe EMI for non-credit card users, ensuring access for all.
For instance, the new iphone 17 (256 gb), priced at Rs 82,900, can be subscribed to for a fraction of that monthly, with the option to upgrade, return, or own it outright after 12 months. For those who prefer to pay upfront, Bytepe offers 50 per cent assured buyback after 12 or 24 months, plus full insurance coverage.
Starting with smartphones, Bytepe plans to expand into other tech categories including electronics and accessories, creating what Jha calls “a smarter, circular economy of ownership.”
In a market where affordability often comes at the cost of flexibility, Bytepe is offering something refreshingly new: the freedom to stay up to date, without being tied down.
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Maharashtra revokes Ola, Uber, Rapido bike taxi licences
Temporary e-bike taxi permits cancelled as firms fail to meet state rules
MUMBAI: Maharashtra’s roads are set to see fewer zipping two-wheelers after the state government pulled the plug on provisional licences granted to bike taxi giants Ola, Uber and Rapido. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced in the Legislative Council on Monday that temporary permissions would be revoked.
“These companies were given permission for just a month and were required to submit certain documents. Since they have not complied, their temporary licences are cancelled. This is to ensure illegal bikes do not operate on our roads,” Sarnaik said.
The move follows the Maharashtra E Bike Taxi Rules 2024, designed to generate employment for local youth and offer commuters a cheaper, greener ride option. The rules, approved in August 2024, allow electric bike taxis in cities with over one lakh residents.
Under the policy, only electric vehicles can ply as taxis, and operators had 30 days to fulfil licensing and compliance requirements. Yet, officials claim many continued operations without meeting these conditions. Sarnaik added that a large number of bike taxis currently running in Mumbai and the wider Mumbai Metropolitan Region are illegal.
In a firm enforcement twist, the government has instructed authorities to focus on vehicle owners rather than riders when registering cases. Safety concerns, particularly for women passengers, and accident complaints have also been flagged by the transport department.
Since April 2024, Regional Transport Offices have taken action against 130 non-compliant bike taxis, collecting fines exceeding Rs 33 lakh. Authorities say further measures will follow to ensure services adhere to regulations before returning to city streets.
Maharashtra’s bike taxi saga has been a rollercoaster. Initially banned in January 2023 due to concerns over private vehicles ferrying passengers, the sector was later formalised through an electric bike framework in 2024. Provisional licences were granted in 2025, but the government now warns that any bike taxi operating on city roads without proper permits will be considered illegal.
Adding to the transport shake-up, the government has also halted the issuance of new auto rickshaw permits from March 9 to ease urban traffic pressures and safeguard livelihoods of existing drivers. A fresh standard operating procedure for future permits is set to go before the state cabinet soon.
Maharashtra commuters may have to find alternative rides as the state reins in its two-wheeled taxi revolution, leaving app-based bikers in a legal limbo.
