A big fight is set to begin in India between Vodafone and Airtel. Before the battle starts, Vodafone has already won one point. Now the rumor suggests that Airtel will equal-up.
Speculations say that Apple is planning to sign an agreement with Bharti Airtel to launch iPhone in the country. The revolutionary handset is slated to be available by October.
According to the company’s representative, “Bharti Airtel has signed a deal with Apple to bring iPhone to India later this year.” When we contacted Airtel, they declined to comment on any existing speculations. We need to term this news as a rumor until an official announcement is made.
The Airtel news came into existence when Apple joined hands with SingTel to launch the iPhone in the Asia-Pacific region via four telecom operators that includes Bharti Airtel, SingTel, Globe Telecom and Optus. As SingTel has a stake in Bharti Airtel, the iPhone is said to be made available on the Airtel network in India. Similarly, SingTel will sell the gadget in Singapore, Glove Telecom in the Philippines and Optus in Australia.
If this news is sheer true and Apple is changing its strategy from exclusive carrier concept to dual carrier concept, Indian owners won’t have to worry much about the locked version of the iPhone and change their existing cell phone number.
The phone is expected to cost Rs. 23,000. At present, the unlocked version retails for Rs. 26,000. The next question that arises is that whether the Indian launch will be that of a 2.5G iPhone followed by the 3G version, or will it directly be the 3G version that would enter the Indian subcontinent.
