Jio has introduced JioPC, a subscription-based cloud computing service that allows students, schools, colleges and skilling centres to access a computer environment without buying a new desktop or laptop. The service can run through an existing computer, a web browser or a television and monitor connected through a Jio set-top box.
JioPC separates the computing experience from the physical device. Users can access their account across different screens and locations, allowing an existing laptop or desktop to be upgraded through cloud-based computing rather than replaced. The service is also available to non-Jio users through a browser, provided they have an active JioPC subscription and an internet connection.
For students, Jio said the service is intended to support hybrid classes, educational applications, coding, design, research and generative artificial intelligence tools. The offering is also positioned for schools, colleges and skilling centres that want to improve the capacity of existing computer labs without undertaking a full hardware replacement.
The subscription plans are offered in two configurations. The JioPC plan provides 8GB RAM and 500GB of storage, while JioPC Ultra offers 16GB RAM and 1TB of storage. The two-month plans are priced at ₹1,000 and ₹1,200 respectively. Five-month plans cost ₹2,000 for JioPC and ₹2,500 for JioPC Ultra, while the 10+2-month plans cost ₹4,000 and ₹5,000.
Jio Home customers can use a ₹100-per-month Jio Home voucher against their broadband bill, reducing the effective cost of the service for eligible users. JioPC does not require data migration or a hardware upgrade to begin using the service, according to the company’s product information.
The service uses an Ubuntu-based interface with LibreOffice and web browsers for online applications such as Microsoft 365. It also supports tools including Adobe Express. Files are stored in cloud storage rather than on the local device, with the service described as using enterprise-grade storage, disaster recovery and a Zero Trust security model.
That arrangement means users can continue accessing stored data if a computer or connected set-top box is damaged or lost. It also allows institutions to provide a shared computing environment across multiple devices and locations, although access remains dependent on an active subscription and internet connectivity.
The launch comes as academic work increasingly depends on digital tools, from online learning platforms to coding and design applications. For institutions, JioPC offers a way to extend the life of existing lab equipment while adding access to higher computing capabilities. The company has presented the service as a pay-as-you-go alternative to the large upfront cost of replacing computer hardware.
Jio said users can choose computing capabilities according to their requirements and access the service through simple login credentials. The company has not, in the supplied announcement, provided details on institutional deployment numbers, service performance across different network conditions or the specific generative AI tools included in each plan.
