India's Reliance Jio Infocomm will finally launch 4G services in December, more than five years after securing a pan-India mobile license.
The operator will progressively activate services in a beta launch before formally introducing commercial services at the end of the year, India's Economic Times reported.
The company aims to achieve population coverage of nearly 80% of the nation by around the time of launch, and 100% coverage within three years of commercial operation.
Reliance Jio is planning a disruptive approach to its operations, with plans to offer data and voice services at half of lower of current average market rates.
Speaking at the AGM of parent company Reliance Industries, owner Mukesh Ambani said the company aims to play a significant role of transforming India into a top 10 nation by internet penetration, compared to its current rank of 142nd in the world.
The upcoming launch will mark Reliance Industries' re-entry into the telecom sector following the expiration of a non-competition pact with Reliance Communications' parent company, owned by Ambani's brother Anil.
Reliance Jio originally planned to introduce services at around this time. Delaying the launch into December will place it in violation of its license terms, which could cause issues with the Department of Telecom.