Unlocked iPhone may be coming to India
updated 02:10 pm EDT, Thu June 28, 2007
Unlocked India iPhone
Although the iPhone will likely not be available officially in India for at least another year, the device may make its debut unofficially there in as little as a month. Shipments of the iPhone are already, reportedly, being smuggled to the country and unlocking techniques are being developed that would allow the phone to work on any network in India for a price of Rs 1,000 or Rs 1,500 (about $25-$35). "Unlocking the iPhone isn't tough," a dealer in central Delhi told Business Standard. In the grey markets of Palika Bazar or Sarojini Nagar, an entry-level iPhone will be available for Rs 30,000 (about $715).
The paper reports that a shop in south Delhi's Ansal Plaza recorded a whopping 50,000 inquiries since the iPhone's announcement in January. Meanwhile, competitors are lining up with their offerings, already available officially in India. "High Tech Computers (HTC), a leading provider of Microsoft Windows mobile-based smart phones, has launched an iPhone look-a-like, the HTC Touch. [...] Globally too, Samsung has announced the launch of Ultra Smart F700 (to be launched in India this year). It will have a full touch-screen interface with a QWERTY keypad."
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2003
Unlocking
While I am against of circumventing a company's proprietary rights-- even if it means I can't then use the service/object or it costs me more- I hope that there is a legitimate Apple/ATT answer to travelers. iPhone users are going to be well-healed and will likely want to use the phone overseas. ATT's plan simply gouges- at the best rates of US$1.29 a minute, you can ring up $1,000 a month very quickly. Now, this is robbery!! So, one hopes that SIM cards CAN be used to take advantage of local rates. In that regard, ATT is inviting piracy if you will. The alternative is to carry a second phone using local SIM cards. That is alright but far from ideal and rather makes the iPhone less desirable. Part of me wants to say "Go for it, India!"