Jio effect: Vodafone offering unlimited voice calls, 28GB data for Rs 348

India's second largest mobile network Vodafone has launched a new Rs 348 plan for its prepaid customers. The move can be seen a bid against Jio's Rs 149 plan that offers free and unlimited voice calls along with 2GB data and 300 SMS for 28 days.

Vodafone is offering 1GB 2G/3G/4G data daily along with unlimited voice calls for both local and STD at Rs 348. It is valid only for prepaid customers and it is only available in Rajasthan. The plan comes with a validity of 28 days. Subscribers can avail the offer across all the leading Vodafone Stores, Mini stores and other retail outlets in the state. Users can also activate the plan from MyVodafone app.

" Vodafone has always taken the lead in coming up with innovative products and services that also offer the finest value to our customers. With Vodafone 348 Prepaid Recharge Offer users can explore internet elements like video, music, live TV, chats, with 1 GB data each day for 28 days.  Additionally, our customers can also enjoy unlimited conversations with their loved ones anywhere in the country. These benefits can be accessed by our customers on 4G/3G or 2G handsets. Now always be in touch with your near and dear ones with Vodafone 348 Prepaid Recharge Offer," said Amit Bedi, Business Head - Rajasthan, Vodafone India.

The plan aims a direct shot at Jio's Rs 149, Rs 309 and Rs 349 plan. While the Rs 149 plan is valid for 28 days, the Rs 309 and Rs 349 plan offer the same benefit as Vodafone's Rs 348 but the validity is for 56 days and 84 days respectively.
Vodafone recently also launched a prepaid plan called First Recharge Coupon (FRC) 244. The plan is available for new Voda SIM card buyers.  The plans offers 70GB data for 70 days along with unlimited voice calls but only on the Vodafone network.  The plan is valid only on first recharge and the validity will be reduced for the second recharge to 35 days.

Reliance Jio JioPhone will be available for beta testing to a small group of users starting August 15. Jio JioPhone can be pre-booked online as well as offline starting August 24. Shipments will begin in September on first come, first serve basis.

Reliance Jio JioPhone will be available for beta testing to a small group of users starting August 15. Jio JioPhone can be pre-booked online as well as offline starting August 24. Shipments will begin in September on first come, first serve basis.

Reliance Jio JioPhone will be available for beta testing to a small group of users starting August 15. Jio JioPhone can be pre-booked online as well as offline starting August 24. Shipments will begin in September on first come, first serve basis.

Reliance Jio JioPhone will be available for beta testing to a small group of users from today, August 15. It is learnt that the beta testing of JioPhone will be similar to that done with Jio SIM cards. However, it is unclear whether JioPhone will be handed out to Jio employees and their families for testing or to regular customers on first come, first serve basis.

Beta testing the JioPhone is all the more important given this 4G feature phone is not a regular device. Since this is a completely new segment, one won’t know for sure how JioPhone will take to the pressures of daily use. Therefore, a beta testing will help understand the permutation and combinations of what could go wrong. Based on the feedback, Jio can update software and hardware as needed.

Reliance Jio JioPhone pre-booking

Reliance Jio JioPhone can be pre-booked online as well as offline starting August 24. Shipments will begin in September on first come, first serve basis. The company is targeting the sale of five million JioPhone units per week. To pre-book JioPhone online, visit Jio.com and click on the Jio phone banner where the ‘Keep Me Posted’ button is located. People will need to enter their name, email, phone number and pincode to book JioPhone. Jio will confirm the booking via an email or SMS. Reliance Jio JioPhone can be pre-booked offline as well. Just walk-in into any offline Jio store to register your interest in the JioPhone.

Reliance Jio JioPhone price

Reliance Jio JioPhone is essentially free (priced at Rs 0), though the company is charging a one-time, fully refundable fees of Rs 1500 for three years. This means that users can claim the deposit after three years given they hand over the JioPhone back.

Reliance Jio, along side the launch of JioPhone, also unveiled a couple of data plans for the devices. The monthly plans start at Rs 153, which gives 500MB of data per data, which totals to 14GB data per month. The validity is 28 days. There’s a weekly plan for Rs 54 and a two-day plan that costs Rs 24. All calls, including STD are free on the Jio network.

Reliance Jio JioPhone specifications

Reliance Jio JioPhone gets a 2.4-inch QVGA display. It comes in two models based on processor – one with a Snapdragon 205 processor and other with the Spreadtrum chipset. The feature phone has a dedicated button for torchlight and an alphanumeric keypad.

Users will be able to give voice commands in 24 regional languages to JioPhone to perform specific tasks. JioPhone sports a built-in SoS button, which can be activated by pressing the number five. The device comes pre-loaded with Jio apps like JioMusic, JioCinema, and more.

Matthew Hayden wins hearts by posting English version of India's National Anthem on Independence Day

New Delhi: A host of cricketers including Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan and former greats of the game like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag extended Independence Day greetings but one wish came all the way from Australia as well, with Matthew Hayden posting an English version of India's National Anthem while wishing his Indian fans.

Soaked in patriotism, Indian marked the country's 71st Independence Day with the tricolour fluttering high and the national anthem reverberating all across the country.

While several celebrities proudly took to social media websites to wish their fans and followers, a happy 71st Independence Day, Mathew Hayden's message received immense praise from Indian followers.

May the ruler of the hearts of all people, 
Dispenser of India's fortune. 
Whose name rouses the hearts of the Punjab, Sindh, 
Gujarat, and Maratha,
Of the Dravida, and Odisha and Bengal.
Whose name echoes in the Himalayas
Whoe name mingles in the music of the
Yamuna and Ganga
And whose name is chanted by
the waves of the Indian sea

'May He bless you and protect you.
May He smile on you and be gracious to you.
May he show you his favour and give you his piece.'

Now and forevermore.
Indian fans were overwhelmed by Hayden's precious message and showered love to the former Aussie great in return.
Patriotic fervour gripped the nation as people from across states and Union territories came together to celebrated the occasion underlining the spirit of unity in diversity.