India’s richest man wants to turn every TV into a PC

Jio Platforms, the digital division of Reliance Industries led by India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani, has introduced JioPC, a cloud-based virtual desktop service aimed at transforming millions of TVs in India into PCs. Accessible via Jio’s set-top box—available free with home broadband or for purchase at ₹5,499 ($64)—the service is currently in free trial and requires users to connect a keyboard and mouse to their TV. While JioPC supports open-source LibreOffice pre-installed and allows Microsoft Office apps through a browser, it currently lacks support for external peripherals like cameras and printers. The initiative targets the large gap in PC ownership in India, where only 15% of households own a PC despite 70% having a TV. Industry experts see potential in JioPC to expand Reliance’s user base, which already exceeds 488 million, especially by reaching rural and low-income segments. However, challenges remain in educating consumers about using a PC on a TV and addressing