MTNL is all set to launch the much awaited 3G service on the 11th of December i.e. tomorrow. Mr. Manmohan Singh would do the honors, with the service being launched first in the capital which will then be followed by Mumbai. The service comes a month prior to the auction, in which private players would face off for the spectrum allocation.
Users will be able to experience speeds of upto 2Mbps, much higher than those currently being offered – upto 140kbps. Next service operator expected to follow suit will be BSNL.
As for the prices, it is being expected that there will be no charges for the first couple of months except the data transfers. Data transfer is expected to be charged at 2 paise per KB. However, the pricing report is unconfirmed so it would be better if we leave this thing for tomorrow.
Another important point to note here is that the launch will be a pilot test for private players, who would be planning to bid for the same. A good base for the private players to know how the market will react to the service at a particular price point.
what is your view on impact of introduction of 3g on iphone sales in India? What are the other handsets with 3G capability?
@ Sita
Thanks for writing in.
As per my opinion, the intoduction of 3G would definately have an impact on iphone sales, but again the impact would be very marginal.
I feel, the iphone is somewhere loosing its charm with the introduction of other multi-touch interactive phones like the HTC touch diamond, Samsung Omnia and the Sony Experia.
What can really boost up iphone sales is only a dip in price.
As for you other comment on 3G handsets, most big brands in the Indian market offer 3G compatible handsets – be it Nokia, sony, LG, motorola, samsung amongst the lot.
One point i would like to mention is that currently all handsets offering 3G compatability are priced at the upper end, once 3G is truly launched, the prices would dip but ofcourse in the long-run. Also, we would see more 3G compatible handsets being launched.
Please feel free to write in if you do not agree to any of my opinions or have a different point of view.