Reliance Jio extends prime membership deadline, announces 'surprise offer'

NEW DELHI: Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Jio, the newest telecom company, today announced it has notched an unprecedented 72 million paid subscribers, and extended by 15 days its rock-bottom priced data offer under Prime membership. The company, whose free extended promotional offer came to an end today, also announced a complimentary offer for three months for those who paid Rs 303 prior to April 15. Jio said it has extended the deadline for purchasing Jio's Rs 303 (and other) plans till April 15th, "considering the unprecedented demand". "This extension will provide the necessary breathing room for users to avoid service disruption during the transition from free to paid services. Customers who could not enrol for JIO PRIME by 31st March for whatever reason can still do so by paying Rs 99 along with their first purchase of Jio's Rs 303 and other plans till 15th April," the statement said. It also announced the Jio Summer Surprise for its JIO PRIME members. "Every JIO PRIME member when they make their first paid recharge prior to 15th April using Jio's Rs 303 plan (or any higher value plan) will get services for the initial three months on a complimentary basis. Your paid tariff plan will be applied only in July, after the expiry of the complimentary service," Chairman Mukesh Ambani said in a letter to customers. Jio had launched the inaugural free voice and data plan in September last year, and in December, extended the freebies till March 31, 2017.