Datagiri has caught the imagination of Patna residents.
Reliance Jio, which rolled out its 4G services "Jio" in the country on Monday, saw people thronging to digital express mini-stores to get free SIM cards, which promise unlimited free voice calls and data till December 31.
Company authorities said hundreds of people were approaching the centres in Patna.
Priti Sen, the spokesperson of Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, told The Telegraph from Calcutta that quoting the number of SIM cards issued on Monday was "next to impossible as of now".
"Giving a number for Bihar or any other place is difficult at this stage. The entire thing is being managed from Mumbai and it is a continuous process. The response is tremendous," Sen said.
Sources said approximately 17,000 SIM cards were distributed in Bihar. In Patna, around 7,000 SIM cards were handed out on Monday. In Bihar, the company has 38 Jio centres.
The company has also opened digital express mini-stores for people to fill up application forms and procure SIM cards. While there are a total of 42 such stores in Bihar, Patna has 10 in areas like Kankerbagh, Boring Road, SK Puri, Dakbungalow and Kadamkuan.
At one such express stores on Dakbungalow Road, a sea of people could be seen filling up application forms and waiting for SIM cards to be handed over.
"I wanted to fill up the application form and get the SIM today. But the company representatives took my contact details and handed me a coupon requesting me to come after 10 days. I am disappointed, but am ready to wait," said Satyendra Kumar, a student of Patna College.
Satyendra said when he asked them the reason, they said I am in the queue. "A free SIM card with unlimited free voice calls and data till December 31, who wouldn't want it?" asked the 19-year-old.
A representative of the company, who was busy scanning heaps of applications, said: "You can see the rush. It has been the same since morning and we have had no time to have lunch. The crowd is swelling and we had to issue coupons with appointment dates to many customers. The next few days will be hectic." ?
The SIM will be compatible to only 4G-enabled handsets. Reliance is selling such handsets, too, which range between Rs 3,000 and Rs 20,000.
Akash Sinha, a gadget trader at Bakerganj, kept his SIM card close to his chest.
"Why should I show it to you? What if someone snatches it? The company said the SIM card would be activated within four days. At present, I spend Rs 1,500 on data and Rs 1,000 to make calls. I can save this amount till December 31. Also, the Internet speed of Jio is high, so, this should be a blessing," Sinha said.
Reliance during a soft launch a couple of months back, had sold 4G-enabled handsets with the SIM cards.
"Around 2.5 lakh handsets with the SIM were sold in Bihar, which could be one of the highest in the eastern region. After the verification of the applications, the SIM cards will be activated for the customers. Since we are expecting a huge jump in the sales in the coming few days, the activation time might take some time," a Reliance official said.
