TECNO has announced that it has enabled a significant portion of Reliance Jio’s “True 5G” network features across its smartphone portfolio in India. Jio, which uses a fully standalone (SA) 5G architecture with more than 234 million unique 5G users, is collaborating closely with TECNO to bring advanced network capabilities to its devices.
What this means in practical connectivity terms
The features covered include Voice over Wi-Fi Dual Pass (VoWiFi Dual Pass), Smart Signal Detection for rapid network recovery, 5G carrier aggregation with 5G+ and 5G++ indicators, 4G+5G dual-SIM dual-active (DSDA) support, mid-to-high-band and N28 4×4 MIMO, improved weak-signal handling via TDD/FDD PC2, and enhanced antenna efficiency tailored for local bands. In addition, TECNO says it has integrated a new “Signal Core” feature across its handsets to support full 5G SA compatibility, NRCA (New Radio Carrier Aggregation), and VoNR (Voice over New Radio).
Why the partnership matters for Indian 5G expansion
For Jio, the move further validates its “True 5G” ecosystem by ensuring that downstream device partners support advanced network features out of the box. For TECNO, aligning devices with Jio’s network roadmap improves appeal to Indian consumers seeking future-ready smartphones. As TECNO India’s CEO Arijeet Talapatra said, the step represents “making cutting-edge connectivity accessible to every Indian”.
The broader impact on the smartphone market
By enabling advanced network features in more affordable handsets, the market may see a new baseline for connectivity. As standalone 5G (SA) setups become standard, features once reserved for premium phones could trickle down faster. OEMs who lag device-network compatibility may find themselves at a competitive disadvantage.
What to watch next
Key indicators will include whether TECNO rolls out these features widely across all of its models or reserves them for higher-tier devices, how Jio’s network evolution (e.g., 5.5G upgrades) will influence device requirements, and how consumers experience real-world benefits like improved signal recovery, fewer dropouts, and better voice-over-5G coverage.
Implications
For Indian consumers this means the promise of smarter 5G behaviour—not just higher speeds, but better voice, better coverage and more stable connectivity. For device makers, it raises the bar for network readiness as differentiation. For network operators like Jio, it shows that building an ecosystem of device partners aligned with advanced features remains key to realising the full value of standalone 5G architecture.
Source: India Times
