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Carriers begin selling iPhone in India

Discussion in 'Wireless News' started by viewfly, Mar 28, 2010.

  1. viewfly

    viewfly Mobile RF Advisor
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    From the Wall Street Journal

    BANGALORE -- Bharti Airtel Ltd. and Vodafone Essar Ltd. Friday started selling Apple Inc.'s iPhone 3GS in India, as telecom operators gear up to adopt third generation mobile telephony services to offer high-speed data services at premium prices.

    Both companies have submitted bids to participate in the much-awaited and three-time delayed (3G) auction, with the successful bidders being allowed to offer 3G services on a commercial basis from Sept. 1, 2010.

    I didn't realize that India doesn't have a commercial 3G (GSM/UTMS) service yet inside India, nor that it didn't sell iPhones! Am I wrong about the iPhone? I thought it was sold in India, but at a very high price? But I guess with little or no 3G service, buying an iPhone doesn't make too much sense. Well, some did so in the USA with Tmobile. According to the article, some carriers tried earlier to carry the iPhone, but the deal fell through.

    That might explain to me why I sold my iPhone so quickly last year: it was to a fellow in Detroit who probably resold it back in India, for use on the 2G GSM network. -VF

    P.S. It seems that the State owned carrier BSNL, began offering 3G in Feb 2009. It is the private carriers that are waiting for the spectrum offering.
     
    #1 viewfly, Mar 28, 2010
  2. charlyee

    charlyee Ultimate Insanity
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    When I was in Delhi and Calcutta, November 2008, both cities sold iPhone 3G and 3GS with no carrier support and legally unlocked. I don't recall the exact price but somewhere in the range of $450-$650 depending on the version.

    My nephew has the 3Gs in 16g, locally purchased in Calcutta, and is eagerly awaiting UMTS, while using it on whichever provider gave the best pre-paid deal.

    BlackBerry9700/5.0.0.405 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102
     
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    #2 charlyee, Mar 28, 2010
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2010
  3. viewfly

    viewfly Mobile RF Advisor
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    Yes, the WSJ article stated that most mobile phones are sold via mobile stores and not from carriers as in the states. I found sources where the iPhone prices were closer to 32,000 INR, or near $800.

    There are only a few countries where the iPhone is sold legally unlocked by Apple. Do you think India was one of them? The article clearly remarks that the two carriers are hoping to generate revenue by having the locked 3G iphone.
     
    #3 viewfly, Mar 28, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 28, 2010
  4. charlyee

    charlyee Ultimate Insanity
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    The USD has gone down compared to a few world currencies including INR sice then. At that time it was closer to 50 Rupees/USD, and yes it was Re. 32,000.

    Yes, India was one of them that sold legally unlocked. I am not sure how locked version will work since only CDMA users are tied to a provider. Most all GSM users go with Pre Pay and buy the devices from the mobile phone store.

    BlackBerry9700/5.0.0.405 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102
     
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    #4 charlyee, Mar 28, 2010
  5. viewfly

    viewfly Mobile RF Advisor
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    It appears that before the 3GS came out they were locked or illegally unlocked. But with the 3GS, one could start buying them unlocked. Perhaps with the 3G commercial carriers they will try to lock them again.

    I'm hopelessly confused about the Indian market place!
     
    #5 viewfly, Mar 28, 2010
  6. charlyee

    charlyee Ultimate Insanity
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    lol, allow me to confuse you further by asking you, if no provider carried the iPhones so far, which provider was the 3G locked to?

    PS: I corrected a typo on my post and also corrected it in your quote of my post. ;)

    BlackBerry9700/5.0.0.405 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102
     
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    #6 charlyee, Mar 28, 2010
  7. viewfly

    viewfly Mobile RF Advisor
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    Unfortunately, I cannot post the WSJ article ( server is currently down), but the difference may be between 3G and the 3GS. The article states that it is a full year delay after the 3GS introduction into the US.

    The indian and WSJ newspapers are a bit murky about it all. So I interpret that it is Airtel and Vodaphone that will begin selling the 3gS (locked), compared to the 3G which Airtel at least began to sell unlocked just as the 3GS was launched last June.

    But I don't know... However, the two private carriers do have limits on their site about usage of 3G service (none) and what cities/regions the 3G phone is available.

    So anyhow, what is the service of 3G inside India? ATT doesn't list any on their roaming chart.
     
    #7 viewfly, Mar 28, 2010
  8. viewfly

    viewfly Mobile RF Advisor
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    Here is some support of the above.... Rumour : iPhone 3GS India Launch on Monday March 15 with 4 Operators

    Apparently the rumors of the 3GS launch have been since last June!

    We have some interesting information from one of our sources. Apple is finally planning to launch the iPhone 3GS in India on coming monday March 15, 2010.
    Apple is planning to accept pre-orders or bookings for a short duration before actual sales start.

    It’s going to be offered on 4 Operators – Airtel, VodafoneVodafone , Reliance and AircelAircel and the phone will be locked to the operator for 1 or 2 years after which you can unlock the phone officially ! Reliance and Aircel might be the new operators offering iPhones. Airtel and Vodafone already offer the iPhone 3G.What’s surprising is none of these operator’s offer 3G services. BSNL / MTNLMTNL are missing from that list. But this list is not official so we can’t comment.

    Also our source tells us that the iPad will hit India in June. And finally India is getting a lot of global attention ( HTC Smart , Nexus One Mini , Moto android phones).But when the whole world is waiting for the iPhone 4G, it’s so painful to anticipate a 3GS India Launch.

    We will update you about the iPhone 3GS India launch once we have more info !

    UPDATE : Many iStores have confirmed that the 3GS is indeed launching this month. New launch date is March 24th . Pricing information for 3GS 16GB version is around 33k approx and price of the 3GS 32 GB is 42K approx . The 3G model is expected to get a price drop. And it’s going to be Airtel and Vodafone only and it will launch first on Airtel (and even after all this it will be locked to the Operator)
     
    #8 viewfly, Mar 28, 2010
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2010
  9. charlyee

    charlyee Ultimate Insanity
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    When I was there I had my Treo Pro and didn't find any 3G. I was pleasantly surprised however, to have coverage everywhere even in the bird sanctuary truly in the middle of nowhere, that we went to.

    Ofcourse that is how it is in most countries. I am in Jordan right now, with coverage everywhere. Interestingly Orange has 3G here but my AT&T SIM would not allow me on it.

    BlackBerry9700/5.0.0.405 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102
     
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    #9 charlyee, Mar 28, 2010
  10. viewfly

    viewfly Mobile RF Advisor
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    Then get back to your travels and put the phone down!

    It seems that the 3GS will be launched in March, locked.
     
    #10 viewfly, Mar 28, 2010
  11. charlyee

    charlyee Ultimate Insanity
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    lol, I have no intention of putting my phone down. Part of the fun of traveling for me is to try as many providers as I can. Specially now with RR's Cellumap, I had a great time sending in data points from Jordan as did my friends following my whereabouts.:D

    As for India, I am looking forward to seeing when UMTS actually happens, it has been talked about since mid 2008. The last I heard from my nephew was that he was tired of waiting for 3G and was switching to CDMA (Reliance) to get their latest Samsung smartphone.

    BlackBerry9700/5.0.0.405 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102
     
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    #11 charlyee, Mar 29, 2010
  12. RadioRaiders

    RadioRaiders RF Black-Belt
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    ...apparently, UMTS has been available to about 15 Million Indians for the last year or so:
    Ericsson and BSNL in India's biggest roll-out of 3G to boost mobile broadband - Ericsson

    ...but currently has less than 1 Million subscribers, and this article mainly sites govt/politics and too-cheap prices as the fault for general lack of 3G in India:
    India's 3G Auctions: Why Companies Are Fearful - BusinessWeek

    ...and Charlyee, looks like your iPhone toting relative is a unique minority in India:
     
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    #12 RadioRaiders, Mar 30, 2010
  13. charlyee

    charlyee Ultimate Insanity
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    Lol, yes he is. The iPhone is not popular in India. Of the SmartPhones it is Nokia and Blackberry and Samsung on the CDMA side.

    Btw, I was pleasantly surprised to see how highly regarded the BB was in Jordan. :)
     
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    #13 charlyee, Mar 30, 2010
  14. josephd

    josephd Tomorrow is another day.
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    So does this mean you won't be getting the iPhone after all Charlyee?!:browani::D
     
    #14 josephd, Mar 30, 2010
  15. RadioRaiders

    RadioRaiders RF Black-Belt
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    I heard it's highly regarded in Indonesia/Maylasia as well (was it you who said that or did I read it somewhere else?)

    ...however, I heard in Russia not many people even know what a BlackBerry is (can any Russian forum members concur?) ...actually, MTS, Russias largest carrier, only announced BlackBerry services 1 year ago :eek:
     
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    #15 RadioRaiders, Apr 1, 2010
  16. charlyee

    charlyee Ultimate Insanity
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    I don't think it was me. I have not been to Malaysia in the last 5 years, the last time I was there only "foreign" business executives carried Blackberrys and that too for E-Mails only. Indonesia, atleast Bali and Java, appear to be Nokia countries. I did notice many professionals with BBs in Singapore, although my collegue in Singapore carries the Motorola Q. :)

    Let's hope we hear from our mutual friend soon. ;)
     
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    #16 charlyee, Apr 1, 2010
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2010
  17. dmapr

    dmapr Silver Senior Member
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    Well, I can't speak for all Russians but it would stand to reason this were true. First, for the most part Russians buy their phones not from the provider but from general electronics stores and I haven't seen any Blackberrys at the B&M ones. They appear to be available online.

    MTS "salon stores" most likely sell them but when I was there every person in the shop besides me was for in-person customer service (as was I) and nobody even ventured to the phone stand. I guess paying premium wasn't on anybody's mind :)

    Just as Charlyee said about India most Russians I know go for your everyday dumbphone with prepaid service and use it mostly for text & voice. Smartphone market is mostly covered by Nokia with an occasional iPhone or HTC sprinkled in. People don't like to be tied down to a provider, so until Blackberry services are offered by most major carriers and not just one I don't see it becoming very popular.
     
    #17 dmapr, Apr 1, 2010
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