Jio Platforms, controlled by billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries, is exploring partnerships with major US telecom and cable companies Comcast and Charter Communications to expand its wireless broadband technology internationally. The discussions reportedly involve licensing Jio’s proprietary technology in exchange for potential equity stakes in the partner companies. If successful, the arrangements could give Jio access to the US broadband market without requiring it to build and operate its own networks overseas.
The company has also held discussions with South Africa’s MTN Group, although those negotiations reportedly collapsed because the two sides could not agree on valuation and licensing terms. No agreement has been finalised with Comcast or Charter, and there is currently no confirmed timeline for completing any partnership. Jio is targeting between 10 and 15 international partners for its broadband technology as it shifts towards becoming a technology-led business in overseas markets.
Jio Holds Technology Partnership Talks With Comcast and Charter
According to a Reuters report published on November 3, 2026, Jio Platforms has discussed potential technology licensing arrangements with Comcast and Charter Communications.
The proposed model involves Jio providing access to its wireless broadband technology in exchange for possible equity stakes in the businesses.
This approach is different from conventional international expansion, where telecom companies invest heavily in infrastructure, spectrum licences and local operations before entering a new market.
Instead, Jio wants to monetise its technology by partnering with established operators that already have customers, distribution networks and market presence.
For Comcast and Charter, the arrangement could provide access to an alternative broadband delivery system that may help reduce network deployment costs.
Neither Comcast nor Charter has publicly confirmed a deal. Their representatives declined to comment on the discussions, while Jio did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
What Is Jio’s Unlicensed Band Radio Technology?
The proposed partnerships centre on Jio’s Unlicensed Band Radio (UBR) technology.
UBR is designed to deliver broadband internet without requiring traditional cable connections directly to individual homes. It uses unlicensed Wi-Fi frequency bands to transmit internet signals from equipment installed on nearby towers or rooftops to receivers placed on buildings.
In a conventional broadband network, operators may need to deploy fibre cables, maintain extensive infrastructure or purchase expensive licensed telecom spectrum.
Jio’s UBR approach aims to reduce some of these requirements by using frequencies that do not require operators to purchase dedicated licensed spectrum.
The technology works through a network of transmitters and receivers:
- Internet connectivity is delivered to transmission equipment installed on towers or rooftops.
- The equipment sends broadband signals through unlicensed radio frequencies.
- Receivers installed on buildings capture the signals.
- The connection is distributed to homes and businesses.
Jio believes this approach can make broadband deployment more economical, particularly in areas where installing fibre infrastructure is expensive or difficult.
However, actual performance depends on factors such as signal interference, distance, building density, network configuration and local regulatory requirements.
Why Comcast and Charter Could Benefit From Jio’s Technology
The US broadband market is becoming increasingly competitive as cable operators face pressure from fibre networks and fixed wireless services offered by telecom companies.
Comcast and Charter are among the largest cable broadband providers in the United States. Both companies have been losing internet customers as consumers increasingly consider alternative connectivity options.
Jio’s technology could offer them another way to deliver high-speed broadband without depending entirely on traditional cable infrastructure.
| Company | Reported broadband customers | Market position |
|---|---|---|
| Comcast | Approximately 28.3 million | Major US cable broadband provider |
| Charter Communications | Approximately 29.4 million | Major US cable and internet provider |
| Jio Platforms | More than 500 million telecom subscribers | India’s largest telecom operator |
Customer figures are based on the periods cited in Reuters’ reporting and are not directly comparable across different reporting dates and business definitions.
For Comcast and Charter, the potential benefits include:
- Lower infrastructure costs: UBR could reduce the need for expensive cable deployment in certain locations.
- Faster expansion: Wireless broadband could help reach customers in areas where extending physical networks is challenging.
- Competitive pricing: Lower deployment costs could create opportunities for more affordable broadband packages.
- Alternative technology: Operators could diversify their broadband delivery systems as competition from fibre and fixed wireless increases.
Neil Shah, director at Counterpoint Research, said the technology could be attractive because operators would be able to deliver cellular-quality broadband using spectrum they do not need to purchase.
The potential commercial value will depend on how reliably the technology performs at scale and whether it can compete with existing broadband networks.
Jio Wants 10–15 International Technology Partners
Jio has indicated that it is targeting between 10 and 15 international partners for its UBR technology platform.
The strategy is part of a broader effort to expand beyond India without building complete telecom networks in every overseas market.
Managing Director Akash Ambani has said the company wants to take its technology into both developed and developing markets while remaining selective about where it operates.
The international expansion effort is being led by Dan Bailey, a former Deutsche Bank technology, media and telecommunications executive, alongside senior Jio executive Mathew Oommen.
The company’s approach is to become a technology provider to foreign telecom operators rather than compete with them directly as a network operator.
This could create a new revenue opportunity for Jio through technology licensing, partnerships and potentially equity participation.
Jio’s Talks With South Africa’s MTN Group Collapse
Jio also held discussions with South Africa’s MTN Group regarding a possible partnership involving its broadband technology.
However, those discussions reportedly broke down after the two companies failed to reach agreement on valuation and certain licensing issues.
One person familiar with the discussions said MTN could not persuade Jio to invest at a valuation acceptable to the Indian company.
The financial details of the proposed arrangement were not immediately available.
MTN said it does not comment on market speculation.
The failed discussions highlight the challenges Jio could face while negotiating international technology partnerships. Even when companies see potential commercial benefits, differences over valuation, ownership and licensing rights can prevent agreements from progressing.
Jio’s Existing UBR Network Provides a Starting Point
Jio is not attempting to commercialise an entirely untested technology.
The company has already deployed its UBR platform in India and is building an ecosystem around wireless broadband connectivity.
According to information cited by Reuters:
| Jio business metric | Reported figure |
|---|---|
| Mobile subscribers | More than 500 million |
| Wired broadband users | Nearly 15 million |
| UBR-powered users | More than 6.5 million |
| Target international partners | 10–15 |
Its existing deployment could provide valuable experience in operating wireless broadband infrastructure, managing customers and scaling the technology.
For international partners, this operating experience could be an important consideration when evaluating whether to adopt the system.
Why the US Broadband Market Matters to Jio
The United States is an attractive market because broadband competition is intensifying.
Cable companies have historically held a strong position in American residential internet connections. However, telecom operators are increasingly using fibre and fixed wireless technology to attract customers.
According to S&P Global Market Intelligence data cited by Reuters, cable accounted for approximately 62% of US residential broadband connections at the end of 2024.
Despite this strong market position, Comcast and Charter have faced customer losses as alternative broadband services expand.
Jio believes its UBR technology could help established cable operators compete by providing another way to deliver internet connectivity without purchasing additional licensed spectrum.
The opportunity is significant, but entering the US market would also require Jio and its partners to address technical compatibility, regulatory requirements, network reliability and customer expectations.
The Bigger Picture
Jio’s discussions with Comcast and Charter reflect a shift in how Indian telecom companies can expand internationally. Instead of investing billions in building overseas networks, Jio is attempting to commercialise its technology through partnerships with established operators.
The proposed tech-for-equity model could give Jio access to international markets while allowing foreign telecom companies to benefit from its broadband technology. If successful, it could also create a new business model for Indian technology companies seeking global expansion.
However, the negotiations remain exploratory. The failed MTN discussions demonstrate that valuation and licensing arrangements can be significant obstacles. Jio will need to prove that UBR can deliver reliable, commercially competitive broadband at scale before the technology becomes a meaningful international business.
Looking Ahead
Jio is targeting 10 to 15 international partners and is exploring opportunities across the United States, Europe and other markets. Potential arrangements with Comcast and Charter could become important milestones in this strategy, particularly if the companies decide to license UBR technology in exchange for equity participation.
For now, there is no confirmed agreement or timetable. The next important development will be whether Jio can convert these discussions into commercial partnerships and demonstrate that its wireless broadband technology can compete with fibre, cable and fixed wireless networks in international markets.
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