I did not expect to be writing another Apple iPhone 3G post, not after the marathon of posts and comments we had prior to the (failed) August launch of the iFail iPhone in India. But here I am again, telling you all that BSNL (yes, them ) are coming out with the iPhone in December of this year.

According to the Financial Express, SK Chakravarty BSNL will be launching the iPhone along with the 3G network in December. “On September 30, we will have a meeting of the circle heads where we may take a decision on making iPhones available to our consumers,” said Chakravarty.

Back in June, we all saw the Vodafone iPhone advertisement on the front page of the TOI, and Airtel announce pre-booking the very next day. The BSNL launch is something we never expected. Lets hope they can at least have the price lower than their competitors. Edit: Hope?! Why am I even bothered about buying a phone that I _know_ lacks features and will be overpriced?

In a release issued by Vodafone on their website, the iPhone 3G prices were announced, and iPhone fans you’re going to be pretty upset. I kid you not.

According to Vodafone:

The iPhone 3G is available in 8GB and 16GB at Rs 31,000 and Rs 36,100 respectively. And as you have already pre-registered with us, you can get it before others do. All you need to do is drop in at a select Vodafone Store between August 14 and 19 and confirm your booking by paying Rs 10000 through cash or credit card.

So we were right about the price. Vodafone subscribers who pre-booked the “oh-I’m-friggin-costly” phone by SMS can collect their phone on early 22nd August.

So that puts an end to the pricing rumours of the Apple iPhone 3G in India, at least Vodafone’s price. I don’t see how Airtel could possibly keep a considerably lower price. Ridiculous? Hell yeah! From rumours on Twitter, I’ve heard that the Nokia N96 is going to be released today.

N96 is the first ever mobile device to offer a memory size of 16GB expandable to 24 GB. The 24GB (16+8) memory of the N96 can store up to 18000 songs, up to 20000 images at 5 mega pixel, up to 60 hours of video or 20 full length movies. With multifunctional media keys and a 2.8” screen, music, movies, games and more are available at the touch of a button. To make playing, watching, listening or experiencing the content even more enjoyable, the Nokia N96 features a ‘kickstand’ on the back cover that allows for hands-free viewing.

Hah! Apple, you just kicked yourself in the posterior.

Update: Apparently, the Vodafone page I linked to has been taken down.

Well that’s what rumours say, or at least that is what Tech2 says is the confirmed price of the Apple iPhone 3G in India.

The 8 GB version of the iPhone 3G will cost Rs. 31,000, while the 16 GB version will cost between Rs. 36,000 and Rs. 37,000.

It would be interesting to see how many would buy the much awaited (and rather highly hyped) Apple iPhone 3G. Would you buy it?

Thanks Aalaap!

Get ready Indians, the Apple iPhone 3G will officially be brought out by Airtel on August 21st, at midnight.

A company spokesperson said Airtel subscribers can purchase the iPhone at Airtel’s Relationship Centres from August 22.

The announcement comes days after Vodafone announced that they would make the iPhone available to its subscribers from August 18th.

Sanjay Kapoor, President, Bharti Airtel mobile services, said -  “iPhone has been an iconic technological revelation of this year and Airtel has been at the forefront of innovation and customer delight in the Indian telecom sector.”

Officials however did not give details about the pricing.

Related posts:

The long awaited decision to conduct a global auction for the Indian 3G spectrum is finally out with the Communications Minister Andimuthu Raja saying that the licence auction would be held by December and the process would be “fully transparent.”

AirTel and Vodafone are expected to be the big players during this auction, which might also see international players like AT&T.

Five operators will initially be allowed for each circle. State-run BSNL and MTNL will get one allocation each out of the 22 telecommunications circles in the country. However, the New Delhi and Mumbai circles will only see two to three operators being allowed, Raja said.

“The number of operators can go up to 10 in the circles… when more spectrum becomes available,” Raja said, in a move boosting competition.

What 3G essentially will essentially mean for the 280 million mobile users in India is better data speeds, enhanced voice quality, video conferencing, video streaming, among other services that need high-speed data connectivity. It would also decongest the networks allowing for lesser call-drops.

What it means for the Apple iPhone users? You can now make complete usage of those apps that are bundled with the iPhone 3G. Imagine streaming videos off YouTube without lag on your iPhones. Sounds good? Let the wait begin.

[Thanks Abhishek]