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Jio Platforms is discussing licensing its wireless broadband technology to US cable companies Comcast and Charter Communications in exchange for potential equity stakes. Reuters reported this on November 4, 2026, citing two people familiar with the matter.
The discussions are part of Jio’s international expansion strategy, which aims to take its proprietary broadband technology to overseas markets without building its own networks. The company has also held talks with South Africa’s MTN Group, but those discussions broke down over valuation differences and certain licensing issues.
There is currently no timetable for reaching an agreement with any of the companies approached. Jio did not respond to Reuters’ queries, while spokespeople for Comcast and Charter declined to comment.
Jio’s technology, known as unlicensed band radio (UBR), operates on free, unlicensed Wi-Fi frequencies. It uses transmitters installed on nearby towers or rooftops to beam high-speed internet to receivers fitted on buildings, eliminating the need for traditional cable connections to homes.
Reliance has described the technology as a ‘global first’. Its use of unlicensed spectrum could make broadband delivery cheaper than conventional cable networks and mobile-based services.
Jio said last week that it was targeting 10 to 15 international partners for the technology platform. A partnership with Comcast or Charter could give the Indian telecom company a foothold in the US market.
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A partnership with either Comcast or Charter comes as US cable operators face growing competition from telecom companies offering fiber and fixed wireless broadband services.
Cable accounted for 62% of US residential broadband connections at the end of 2024, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. However, both Comcast and Charter have been losing customers to competing services.
Comcast had around 28.3 million residential broadband customers at the end of September, while Charter reported approximately 29.4 million internet customers in June. Jio’s technology could help both companies offer broadband services at lower costs.
“Telecom spectrum is a scarce resource and is expensive. UBR can be very attractive to companies like Comcast and Charter as they can deliver cellular-quality broadband over spectrum they don’t have to buy,” Neil Shah, director at Hong Kong-based Counterpoint Research, said.
Jio Platforms, India’s largest telecom operator, has more than 500 million subscribers, making it the world’s second-largest telecom company by single-country subscriber base after China Mobile. It also has nearly 15 million wired broadband users, while Reliance said its UBR-powered users have crossed 6.5 million.
The company’s international expansion is being led by Dan Bailey, former chairman of Deutsche Bank’s technology, media and telecom practice, and senior executive Mathew Oommen.
Jio Managing Director Akash Ambani said the company wants to take its UBR technology to developed and developing markets but will remain selective about international opportunities.
“We want to be a technology-led business there,” he said during an analyst call on Friday. He also highlighted the US opportunity, noting that 3% of customers there account for 65% of 5 G fixed wireless capacity.