Google Brings Free Gemini Access to India’s Largest Carrier

Google is scaling up its AI initiatives globally, recently announcing a partnership with Reliance Intelligence, an AI-focused subsidiary of Reliance Industries, to offer free access to its advanced AI model, Gemini, to users of India’s largest mobile carrier, Jio. This initiative aims to enhance AI accessibility within the world’s most populous country.

Key Highlights

• Free Offer: Users who opt for Jio’s Unlimited 5G plan will receive Google AI Pro at no additional cost for 18 months.
• Advanced Features: Eligible users will have access to the latest Gemini 2.5 Pro model, along with increased limits for Nano Banana and Veo 3.1 AI image and video generators, and expanded access to NotebookLM.
• Cloud Storage: The plan also includes 2TB of cloud storage across Google’s apps, valued at approximately 35,100 rupees ($396) per user.

Initially, this offer is exclusive to Jio customers aged 18 to 25, with plans to extend it to all eligible users through the MyJio app in the future. Google invested $4.5 million for a 7.7 percent stake in Reliance Jio back in 2020, indicating the company’s long-term commitment to the rapidly growing Indian market.

AI Expansion in India

With India’s growing demand for AI technologies, various companies are vying for a strong foothold. In July, Perplexity AI collaborated with rival Bharti Airtel to offer its Pro subscription to all of Airtel’s 360 million customers. Similarly, OpenAI has recently introduced a budget-friendly ChatGPT subscription plan in India, priced at 390 rupees ($4.60) per month, providing substantial features compared to the free version.

This competitive landscape highlights India’s emergence as a central arena for AI development and user adoption.

Conclusion

As Google and other tech giants race to expand their AI offerings in India, this partnership signifies a substantial step toward democratizing access to advanced AI tools in one of the world’s largest markets. The implications of such initiatives are likely to reshape the AI landscape, encouraging widespread use and innovation. Stay informed to see how these developments unfold in the coming months.