Reliance Jio launches gaming pack to drive 5G monetisation, ties up with BGMI developer Krafton
Reliance Jio
has launched India's first-ever gaming-specific pack, in a move that will significantly help it drive data usage on its fifth-generation (
5G
) networks and accelerate monetisation efforts beyond data and voice.
The telecom carrier has tied up with Korean Krafton Inc. to offer the latter's Battlegrounds Mobile India (
BGMI
) battle royale game to millions of Jio users through the bundled pack.
'From a monetisation lens, this plan transforms data consumption into content-driven utility, where gaming is no longer a bandwidth expense but a bundled value,' a Jio spokesperson told
ETTelecom
. 'It reflects a shift from traditional telco pricing to use-case driven monetisation, making gaming a revenue-generating service layer atop 5G,' the spokesperson added.
As per the telco, the high latency sensitivity in gaming makes 5G ideal, encouraging gamers to upgrade, while gaming bundles will increase customer stickiness and average revenue per user (ARPU) by adding exclusive value beyond traditional data.
Jio, with over 191 million 5G subscribers as of Q4FY25, currently offers unlimited 5G data to its prepaid users who subscribe to packs priced ₹198 or above.
Seddharth Merrotra
, head of business development at Krafton India, in turn, told
ETTelecom
that the
gaming pack
provides access to
cloud gaming
and affordability. 'Gamers now get premium connectivity through Jio's 5G network, exclusive BGMI content and cloud gaming benefits, all in one plan,' he said.
Telcos, including Jio, have been attempting to achieve a significant breakthrough in monetising their 5G networks beyond fixed wireless access (FWA).
According to industry executives, 5G-enabled cloud gaming could become another major consumer-centric application for fueling
5G monetisation
initiatives.
Thailand's DTAC offers data plans bundled with in-game benefits backed by a partnership with BGMI, while AIS, also a Thai telco, has a partnership with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare to offer in-game benefits. Likewise, Indonesia's Indostat IM3 provides data plan and value services through a partnership with a cloud gaming platform.
'For us, this means deeper engagement with BGMI players who now receive exclusive in-game rewards with every recharge, enhancing player satisfaction and loyalty. For the players, it's a win-win as they get seamless, low-latency gameplay and added value through skins, cloud gaming access and subscriptions.'Merrotra said.
India's largest telecom carrier had in 2023 tied up with Ubitus to power its cloud gaming platform, JioGamesCloud, which provides access to AAA titles and other games without requiring a high-end hardware set-up.
Merrotra said that online gaming has become a platform for cross-collaborations with the technology and entertainment companies.
'We have co-created in-game experiences with brands across automotive (Mahindra, Hero MotoCorp), FMCG (Sting) and technology (Dolby Atmos) to craft integrations that resonate with Indian players,' he said. 'The BGMI and Jio Gaming Pack is a great example of this convergence. It merges high-performance telecom infrastructure with game content and exclusive digital goods.'
According to the executive, Krafton India sees potential in co-creating similar bundles with other telcos in the country. 'That said, for us, it's not just about partnering with every player in the ecosystem it's about finding the right fit.'
Consultancy firm PwC India, in a report last year, said that India's online gaming industry is estimated to double to ₹66,000 crore by 2028, with the potential to create an additional 2-3 lakh jobs in the upcoming few years.
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