Vodafone and Airtel already have a headstart with the Apple iPhone 3G launch in India last month. Now reports suggest that the state-owned BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd) is also getting the same soon!
BSNL and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) are the first two government operators to get 3G licence. BSNL along with MTNL was given a head-start by the Department of Telecom (DoT) to roll out 3G services in the country. This would mean that BSNL would be able to Launch the iPhone In india with 3G service s enabled!
So while the private telecos have to acquire 3G spectrum through the bidding process that will start soon, both the public sector units (BSNL & MTNL) have already been allotted spectrum on a pro-rata basis.