Airtel Also Gets Iphone Rights In India

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.

Vodafone Distribute Iphone In India Including 9 Countries

Vodafone must be on Cloud 9 as it has received the contract from Apple to distribute the iPhone in 10 countries across the globe. So, the nations that will be happy to receive the revolutionary mobile phone are Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey. The agreement is slated to begin later this year.
After losing over O2 and Carphone Warehouse for UK access, Vodafone will certainly breathe a sign of relief as it has achieved a huge contract to expand its profit margins.

Probably, the iPhone in Australia would be operator free. At present, there aren’t many details known in regards to the Australian launch. In the recent past, there was news stating that Apple’s media player-cum-mobile phone’s exclusive agreement could be considered as illegal in Australia.

Iphone In India

India may join a league of 6 countries to host an Apple Store selling computers, software, iPod, Apple TV and much awaited iPhone. Japan is the only country in Asia to have an Apple Store.

Reliance Retail, which already has an electronics retail venture Reliance Digital, may bring the Apple Store to India. Apple Store is a specialised retail outlet which apart from selling Apple products, offer workshops, training and support services.

Though it remains to be seen whether Apple would like to go alone or partner with someone. Also, will it be willing to open Apple Store within the existing Reliance Digital setup or frame a separate venture for this.

Since Apple would like its brand equity to get maintained, it would not like its exclusive products to sell alongside other company’s products of a lower brand value.