For First Time, Mukesh Ambani Discloses Earnings For Jio

Despite being the newest entrant in what was already one of the world's most crowded mobile-phone markets, Jio has accumulated more than 138.6 million subscribers.

Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio has reported a net loss of Rs 271 crore in September quarter.

• Reliance Jio Infocomm reported Rs 260 crore profit before interest, taxes
• Company posted net loss of Rs 271 crore on revenue of Rs 6,150 crore
• Billionaire Mukesh Ambani disclosed Jio earnings for the first time

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani, who upended India's mobile-phone market with free data and voice services a year ago, said the business made profit before interest and taxes as the unit began charging for data even as it reported a net loss.

Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. had a Rs 260 crore ($40 million) profit before interest and taxes, the company said in a statement on Friday. It's the first time Mr Ambani, India's richest man, has disclosed earnings for the business. The company reported a net loss of Rs 271 crore on revenue of Rs 6,150 crore.

Despite being the newest entrant in what was already one of the world's most crowded mobile-phone markets, Jio has accumulated more than 138.6 million subscribers and has triggered a shakeout in the industry by undercutting prices. That's prompted existing carriers to slash their tariffs and pursue mergers to survive.

Industry leader Bharti Airtel Ltd. said this week it would buy Tata Group's mobile-phone business, months after agreeing to acquire Telenor ASA's local operations. Vodafone Group Plc and Idea Cellular Ltd. are in the process of merging their Indian operations to create the nation's largest carrier. Reliance Communications Ltd. had planned to merge with Aircel Ltd., but that deal fell apart in early October.

Shares of oil refiner Reliance Industries Ltd., which controls Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd., rose 0.4 percent to Rs 876.45 at the close of trading in Mumbai.

Jio, which already ranks fourth locally in terms of mobile subscribers, is planning further market share gains. The company is offering a $23 mobile that offers 4G data plans that cost as low as Rs 23 for two days or Rs 153 monthly.