India's Reliance Jio Infocomm has launched an OTT messaging and calling app ahead of the long-anticipated launch of its 4G network.
The operator's new Jio Chat app supports messaging, voice and video chat, conferencing and multimedia sharing, the Economic Timessaid.
The app will work on Android and iOS and can be used across operators. Messages can be converted to SMS for no extra charge for the sender, but at a marginal cost to the receiver.
With the launch, Reliance Jio hopes to build its brand ahead of the launch of its own network. Reliance Jio plans to roll out other apps, including health monitoring and television streaming apps, for the same purpose.
According to the report, allowing cross-platform and cross-operator compatibility will help test Reliance Jio's telecom systems, and allow the operator to differentiate its upcoming 4G service from rival networks by allowing consumers to compare performance.
Reliance Jio Infocomm won a 4G license during the 2010 BWA auctions, and has so far spent over 70 billion rupees ($1.12 billion) building out its 4G network.
Reliance Jio is India's only operator with a pan-India 4G license. The company has lined up network sharing deals with multiple more established rivals to help with its national rollout.