Ambani's Jio explores tech-for-equity talks with Comcast and Charter, sources say
Jio Platforms has discussed licensing its wireless broadband technology to Comcast and Charter in exchange for potential stakes in their businesses, sources said. No deal timetable was set, and earlier talks with South Africa's MTN broke down over valuation and licensing issues.
1. Talks with US cable firms
Jio Platforms has held talks with Comcast and Charter about licensing its wireless broadband technology in exchange for potential stakes in the businesses, two people familiar with the matter said. There is no timetable for a deal with any of the companies Jio has spoken to, and the financial details were not immediately clear.
2. Technology and expansion plans
Jio is targeting 10 to 15 global partners for its unlicensed band radio technology, which delivers broadband over Wi-Fi frequencies using transmitters on towers or rooftops. Reliance says the technology serves more than 6.5 million users, and Jio has said it wants to sell technology to foreign operators rather than build networks abroad.
3. MTN talks and US market
Earlier discussions with South Africa's MTN Group broke down after the sides could not agree on valuation and certain licensing issues, sources said. Comcast had about 28.3 million residential broadband customers at the end of September, while Charter had about 29.4 million internet customers in June; both have been losing customers to fixed wireless and fiber.
