Vodafone has officially opened up the doors for people seeking more news on iPhone in India. Interested users can register at Vodafone by sending a SMS IPHONE to 56789 or head over to the website to register. This is the message I received after successful registration.

Dear Kunal Gangar,

Thank you for booking your new iPhone 3G, with Vodafone. We will keep you updated on its price, features and availability in due course.
Till then, if you have any further queries feel free to call us on 111 (toll free) and we’ll be happy to help.

Happy to help,
Vodafone Care

Email vodafonecare.mum@vodafone.com

Visit www.vodafone.in

Vodafone webpage

UPDATE: We called up 111 to know about the availability and the customer exec said that it will not be available before the year end.

UPDATE 2: Airtel users can send a SMS iPhone to 54321.

UPDATE 3: Airtel has opened up their registration page too. Click here.

MTNL’s giveaway of free SIM cards to existing MTNL customers has turned out to be a huge success for the company. Initially the registrations were required to be done from their website but now are accepting registrations via SMS too. This move will give a spurt in the demand as many users are plain lazy or not that net savvy.

A major announcement this week was the introduction of Apple iPhone 2.0. Though many countries will be getting this masterpiece on July 11, unfortunately India is not one of them. Our major operators have announced their intentions that it will land in India later this year.

We have featured a new Vodafone plan for the corporates valuing Rs. 299 per month. This is not a full value plan but the free calls are enough for an average user. Next is the BPL Mobile’s 199 Full Value plan which is definitely better than the existing Full Value plans we have seen.

Finally, MTNL will be unveiling a Rs. 49 pack for its post paid users. This will enable the users to make local calls for just 50 paise.

All you guys waiting for the iPhone to make an official entry will not have to wait much. Vodafone and Airtel have announced that they will be selling the new iPhone 3G in the Indian market. Both the operators are keeping mum on the pricing and availability of the phone but if our source is right, it will be out by September or October. You say the price? Expect it to be around Rs. 25000 mark (Locked of course).

One question I may ask to these operators is that will the users be getting some sort of data connection bundle with the phone?

PS: Gray market rules if you want to pick up an unlocked first generation iPhone.