Reliance Jio has launched Voice over New Radio (VoNR) calling across India.. Powered by the company’s own 5G Standalone (SA) core network, the launch aligns with Jio’s ninth anniversary, marking a significant achievement for the telecom leader.
What is VoNR and Why It Matters?
Voice over New Radio (VoNR) enables calls to be made directly over 5G networks without falling back to older technologies like VoLTE (4G). This shift delivers tangible benefits for everyday users:
Faster call setup times
Sharper audio quality
Fewer call drops
Better battery efficiency
With VoNR live nationwide, Jio is positioning itself at the forefront of India’s 5G evolution, aiming to enhance both connectivity and the overall calling experience.
Unlike hybrid 5G setups that rely on 4G networks for voice services, Jio’s VoNR runs entirely on its indigenous 5G Standalone (SA) Core with an IMS-enhanced stack. This represents a major leap forward, especially as many global 5G deployments still function on Non-Standalone Architecture (NSA).
Feature |
Current 5G (NSA) |
Jio VoNR (SA) |
|---|---|---|
Core Dependency |
Relies on 4G LTE core |
Runs on native 5G standalone core |
Voice Protocol |
Falls back to VoLTE (4G) for calls |
Uses VoNR directly for 5G voice calls |
Latency and Efficiency |
Higher latency |
Lower latency and more optimised for 5G |
Deployment |
Easier to deploy but not that future-proof |
More complex to deploy but easily scalable and sovereign |
Additionally, this move lays a solid foundation for exporting Jio’s 5G solutions to global markets, including its OSS/BSS platforms, small cell infrastructure, and indigenous core technologies.
In that sense, the VoNR rollout is not just a technical upgrade, but a major leap toward telecom self-reliance for India.Jio has officially rolled out Voice over New Radio (VoNR) nationwide, built on its native 5G SA Core and IMS-enhanced VoNR.With this deployment, the company now offers end-to-end VoNR services on its self-developed technology stack, enabling ultra-low latency and crystal-clear voice calls directly over 5G.
“With more than 500 million users, Jio’s VoNR launch sets a benchmark for superior voice quality and network performance in India. By moving from dependence on external vendors to embracing Made-in-India innovation, this marks a new era in telecom strategy.”
— Aayush Bhatnagar, Senior Vice President, Jio
The timing is also key—coming just after Jio’s AGM 2025, where the company announced Reliance Intelligence (AI platform), JioFrames (next-gen XR glasses), and the AI-powered upgrade of JioHotstar. Together, these moves underline Jio’s vision of building an integrated digital ecosystem, where connectivity, devices, and services run on indigenous 5G infrastructure.
