Apple in talks for Indian iPhone

SAN FRANCISCO - Apple is holding talks to bring the iPhone to two of India’s biggest mobile phone operators, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

Apple’s hit mobile device is currently available in India only through Bharti AirTel and Vodafone, whose cellular systems run on the GSM technology. But Apple is now talking with Tata Teleservices and Reliance Communications to introduce the iPhone on their networks, which run on the CDMA technology.

Apple does not currently make CDMA-compatible iPhones, a shortcoming that also prevents it from working with Verizon Wireless, the largest cellphone operator in the US.

The Indian market is recognised as one of the fastest growing markets in the world with an estimated 18 million new users per month. The report said that the talks have been ongoing with the Indian companies for four or five months.

Currently Nokia dominates the Indian smartphone market, selling 1.8 million devices in the first half of the year, representing a 71-percent market share, compared to Apple’s one percent, the report said.