iWorld
Jio Bharat: Bridging the gap between ‘Bharat’ and ‘India’
Mumbai: Earlier this week, Reliance Jio launched India’s most affordable 4G phone ‘Jio Bharat’, at an unprecedented Rs 999 price point. The development comes on the back of Jio’s ambition to make India 2G free. Why is that important, you ask?
At a time when the 5G network roll out is picking pace in the country, we still have an estimated 250 million mobile subscribers trapped in the 2G era with feature phones. These users currently have no internet access, digital payment or entertainment options. And this results into a big digital divide in the country, predominantly existing between urban and rural India. It has increased over the years because of the inability of the rural, low income population to afford basic digital services.
According to a new report by Emkay Global Financial Services, with the recent increase in 2G tariff by telecom operators and limited availability of affordable feature phones, JioBharat is coming at the right time to accelerate the 2G to 4G transition and enable digital experiences for masses. The Jio Bharat phone is expected to democratise internet access, enhancing these users’ economic prospects. With Jio’s network and distribution strength along with the device, Jio would be able to capture over 40 per cent market share.
With the government’s consistent push for digital payments, we have seen a significant behavioural shift in our cash-driven economy. The UPI system has grown rapidly and is now used by close to 300 million individuals and 50 million merchants. It is already announced that all panchayats across the country will mandatorily use digital payments for development work and revenue collection from 15th August. Therefore, Jio Bharat’s entry with JioPay, a UPI-based digital payments app is poised to propel the growth of digital payments in rural India.
Jio Bharat is not only the cheapest 4G phone, but also 30 per cent cheaper than competition in terms of service cost. A recharge of Rs 123 per month will provide users with unlimited voice calls and 14 GB data, compared to other operators’ Rs 179 plan for voice calls and only 2 GB data.
According to the India Telecom report by JP Morgan, ‘Jio Bharat’ has the potential to disrupt the entry-level market. “We believe with this phone Jio can take market share at the lower end of the market. This also puts Bharti at risk as it can see increased churn from its recent 2G price action of increasing the Rs 99 plan to Rs 155 plan,” said the JP Morgan report.
The launch of the Jio Bharat phone is a significant step towards digital inclusion in India. It promises to make quality, affordable internet accessible to everyone. This could transform the lives of people who have previously been restricted to 2G due to financial limitations and help bridge the gap between ‘India’ and ‘Bharat’.
iWorld
Warner Chappell Music launches India ops, Jay Mehta to lead unit
WMG shifts to direct model, unifying publishing and recorded music
MUMBAI: Warner Chappell Music has officially launched direct operations in India, marking a strategic shift by parent Warner Music Group to deepen its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing music markets.
The move replaces the company’s earlier sub-publishing model with a full-fledged, on-ground operation, aimed at giving Indian songwriters stronger access to global networks, rights management tools, and creative infrastructure.
To lead the push, Jay Mehta has been handed an expanded mandate. Already serving as managing director of Warner Music India, Mehta will now oversee both recorded music and publishing across India and neighbouring South Asian markets, effectively bringing the two sides of the business under one roof.
The unified structure is designed to streamline how artists and songwriters work with the company, offering a more integrated ecosystem that spans compositions, recordings, and global distribution.
Warner Music Group managing director, recorded music and publishing, India and SAARC Jay Mehta said, “India’s songwriters are world-class, constantly redefining genres and pushing creative boundaries. By establishing a direct footprint for Warner Chappell, we’re bridging the gap between local brilliance and global opportunity.”
The timing is no coincidence. According to CISAC, creator collections in India jumped 42 per cent year-on-year to Rs 7 billion in 2024, while IFPI ranks India as the 15th largest recorded music market globally. At the same time, the industry is undergoing a structural shift, with independent and non-film music gaining ground over traditional Bollywood soundtracks.
Warner’s bet is that a direct presence will help it capture this changing dynamic. The company is also offering India-based creators access to its proprietary tools, including AI-powered royalty matching systems and real-time analytics platforms, aimed at improving transparency and earnings visibility.
Warner Chappell Music co-chair and CEO Guy Moot said the move is about shaping a publishing ecosystem that “works for creators and ensures their music is heard, protected, and rewarded everywhere.”
Meanwhile, Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl underlined India’s importance to the company’s global strategy, noting that the new structure creates a “unified powerhouse” for both creators and audiences.
With local studios, global reach, and tighter integration across its business lines, Warner is clearly doubling down on India. And as streaming habits evolve and independent music rises, the company is positioning itself to be not just a participant, but a key architect of the country’s next music chapter.
