Price wars: Reliance Jio's shift to paid services will test its appeal

Without giving details, Jio would remain cheaper, Ambani said.

Reliance Industries' Jio telecom unit will charge for its services from April, ending an almost seven month spree of free calls and data that shook up India's telecom sector and helped the new arrival rack up more than 100 million users.

The shift to paid services, even at a sharp discount to established players, will test the appeal of Jio and the fundamentals behind a $20 billion investment in telecoms by Reliance - one of the world's largest energy groups.

In a speech broadcast live on company social media accounts, Reliance owner and India's richest man Mukesh Ambani announced Jio had passed