Reliance Jio, led by Mukesh Ambani, has announced the expansion of its cloud PC service, JioPC, to all internet users in India. Initially launched in July 2025 for its broadband subscribers, the service is now available as a standalone subscription for users with any internet connection. JioPC streams a virtual PC from Jio's cloud to existing computers, offering plans with up to eight virtual CPUs, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage.
The service aims to enable computers as old as eight years to access the computing power necessary for modern AI applications without the need for hardware upgrades. Subscription plans start at ₹1,000 (approximately $11) for two months, with a 12-month subscription priced at ₹4,000 (around $42) for 8GB of RAM and 500GB of storage, or ₹5,000 (about $53) for 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.
According to IDC, India had over 65 million PCs in use in 2025, with projections suggesting the installed base could reach nearly 69 million by the end of 2026. The report highlights that consumers and small businesses typically replace their PCs every five to six years, a trend that Jio aims to address by offering cloud computing solutions that extend the lifecycle of existing devices.
Prabhu Ram from CyberMedia Research noted that JioPC could create a market where consumers pay for computing capability rather than investing in hardware upgrades. However, he does not foresee this model completely replacing conventional PCs, as it may appeal to price-sensitive consumers who cannot afford new AI-capable machines.
Industry experts suggest that Jio will need to persuade consumers that a subscription model is advantageous, especially in smaller cities where reliable internet access may be limited. Additionally, competition from refurbished PCs, which allow ownership without reliance on connectivity, poses a challenge.
The specifications of JioPC do not indicate the presence of dedicated AI accelerators, which are common in new AI PCs. The success of Jio's initiative will depend on whether consumers view cloud computing as a necessary utility rather than a temporary solution, as stated by Ram.