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.
e-commerce
ITC Sunfeast, Zepto host mango-themed experiential ‘Paglu Party’
Event blends Alphonso desserts, DIY sessions and interactive formats
MUMBAI: When mango season peaks, some savour it others go full ‘paglu’. ITC Sunfeast Baked Creations, in collaboration with Zepto, turned summer indulgence into an immersive brand experience with its ‘Mango Paglu Party’, a high-energy, mango-themed event designed to blur the line between dessert and discovery. Built around the brand’s ‘Mad Over Mangoes’ universe, the space leaned into a sensory overload bright, playful and unapologetically mango-drenched. From curated installations to social-first corners, every element was designed to be as shareable as it was experiential.
At the centre of the celebration was the fruit itself, elevated into a menu crafted using fresh, carbide-free Alphonso mangoes sourced by Zepto. The spread ranged from a flaky Mango Pista Kouign Aman to Mango Coconut Serradura Pudding and a Mango Mascarpone Cake, balancing indulgence with seasonal freshness.
But this was not a passive tasting affair. Guests were drawn into the experience through interactive formats, including a DIY dessert session led by the brand’s chef, where attendees created classics like Mango Tres Leches. Zepto chief business officer Chandan Mehndiratta also joined the session, adding a touch of brand personality to the proceedings.
A quirky highlight came in the form of the ‘Aam Paglu Prescription’, a playful, doctor-themed concept that positioned mango indulgence as the only “treatment” worth taking, turning a simple insight into a memorable activation.
The event built up to a theatrical finale, with the crowning of the ‘Aam Paglu of the Day’ followed by the cutting of an oversized mango-shaped Mango Mascarpone Cake, closing the experience on a high note.
More than just a seasonal showcase, the Mango Paglu Party reflects a broader shift in brand storytelling, where products are no longer just consumed, but experienced. For ITC Sunfeast Baked Creations and Zepto, mango season was not just about flavour, it was about creating a moment that audiences could step into, engage with and, quite literally, devour.
