Reliance Jio has rolled out innovative recharge plans that let users tap into BSNL’s network through Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR). This innovative move will abridge the connectivity issues for Jio users in the remote and rural regions, where Jio has low or no connectivity, eventually ensuring uninterrupted coverage where Jio signals are weak or unavailable.
Jio Shakes hands with BSNL for Seamless Coverage and Smart Connectivity for Remote Areas
This initiative has been launched already in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, and marks a major step toward nationwide network expansion and reliability.
The company reported that “BSNL ICR service is available on select prepaid recharges offered by Jio. This allows customers to use voice, data, and SMS services by connecting to the BSNL network within the same geographical circle, at select locations”.
At the moment, the telecom giant has launched two recharge plans, priced at Rs 196 and Rs 396. Both offer a validity of 28 days.
| Plan Price | Data Benefit | Voice Calls | SMS | Validity |
| ₹196 | 2 GB | 1,000 minutes | 1,000 SMS | 28 days |
| ₹396 | 10 GB | 1,000 minutes | 1,000 SMS | 28 days |
Notably, these plans are only for the BSNL network and are not applicable to other networks like Airtel or Vodafone Idea.
According to the company, once users purchase these recharge plans, they will stay in a queued state until the first usage. The company explained that “These plans will be automatically activated upon the first usage of any voice, SMS, or data service. Once activated, the plan will remain valid for its defined validity period”.
Jio and BSNL ICR Test Signals New Era of Seamless Connectivity in Remote Areas
Just days after Telecom Secretary Neeraj Mittal visited Village Ummed in Rajasthan to inspect a 4G saturation site, a major connectivity milestone was achieved. During his visit, the teams successfully tested Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR) between BSNL and Reliance Jio, paving the way for seamless coverage in remote areas and hinting at a new era of uninterrupted mobile connectivity.
The Intra-Circle Roaming facility is also available free of cost for every network operator via 4G sites that are funded by Digital Bharat Nidhi.
These new Jio plans, however, allow Jio users to access Intra-Circle Roaming even in those areas that are not funded by Digital Bharat Nidhi.
Summary
Reliance Jio, has launched new prepaid plans enabling users to access BSNL’s network via Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR), bridging connectivity gaps in rural and remote areas. The plans that are launched by the largest telecom company in India currently in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, offer voice, SMS, and data with automatic activation on first use. This is a landmark collaboration which will be the cornerstone for seamless nationwide mobile coverage.
