Apple has authorized Airtel to sell unlocked iPhones to customers, enabling an user on any operator to get and use the iPhone. No word on whether Vodafone, the other iPhone provider in India, has been granted similar privileges or not (seems not).
Its not clear yet, on how much Airtel will charge extra for the unlocked iPhone (‘locked’ iPhone costs Rs 36,000 for the 16 GB version). Unlocked iPhones are already available at various retailers, if you know where to go. Additionally, the iPhone 3GS will be available in India on August 9th.
Is Apple making this move to get more iPhone customers in India ? From the very start, iPhone has not performed well in the Indian market — is Apple hoping to change that with the unlocking strategy ?
via BS
Instead of authorizing to sell “unlocked” phone, Apple should stop being greedy for more money and sell it for lesser price in India.
I am a hard-core apple fan, but am very disappointed with their strategy to squeeze more money from us.
Is this a signal that Airtel will also jump into electronic item retailing like Tata Croma, Videocon Next, etc?
Selling an unlocked iPhone is same as the local mobile shop selling Nokia or SE handsets which we can use with our preferred operators.
I think eventually Airtell will get into retail whether for electronic products or others.I believe they were planning something like walmart stores earlier (in India).
The whole concept of selling locked phones would anyway not fly in India, where customers want more freedom to choose their provider.And btw if u really know where to GO, you probably will get the piece for even lesser than 36K.