Are Indian Mobile Operators 3G Ready ?

Presently, both Vodafone and Airtel have announced that they will start providing Apple IPhone 3G in India from 18 Aug 2008 and 22 Aug 2008 respectively. They have also started taking booking! The question is : Do they have 3G network in place to exploit the 3G features of Apple IPhone 3G ? My personal answer is NO!

Here is present 3G Netowrk status in India as per my intensive Googling, yahooing, and nose poking in Mobile Telephony Industry :
1. BSNL : Candid enough to admit, they are not ready with 3G network. They have given order to Erricsson for 3G network. And they will not have to bid for 3G Spectrum as per DOT ( Department of Telecommunication, GOI), only they will have to pay the highest bidding amount. Expected date of Launch : June 2009.
2. Airtel : They have tested Iphone 3G on their 3G network and EDGE network. Its speed is twice as fast. The exact wording ( in AirTel website) is : "iPhone 3G combines all the revolutionary features of iPhone plus 3G networking that is twice as fast*, built-in GPS for expanded location-based mobile services, and iPhone 2.0 software which includes support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and runs hundreds of third party applications available through the new App Store." As per in their website with a * note tha : *Based on 3G and EDGE testing. Actual speeds vary by site conditions. In the Iphone 3G Information page, they have done a copy paste work from Apple site!
So, according to me it simply means that this "iconic technology revelation of this year", will be twice fast as existing EDGE in Airtel. My experience in Airtel EDGE/GPRS ( part of 2G and 2.5G) were around 3kbps on my IMATE JASJAR/NOKIA9500. So, we should expect twice of that speed! That is 6kbps! So much of iconic technology revelation! But lets keep our finger crossed till 22 Aug 2008. If anyone booked IPhone 3G in Airtel, kindly post me comment here about your experience.
3. Vodafone : They give out nothing on their 3G network! Alos about Appl Iphone 3G registration page, they have shown featurs of Apple Iphone 3G, but no promises! Except one useful that that, they would launch 8GB and 16GB Models!
My Impression is : They are planning to launch them using their EDGE technology. My present experience with Vodafone EDGE is better than that of Airtel.
4. Reliance : They are not presently in the Apple IPhone 3G race! If I am wrong, please correct me!

The bottom line is :
None of the Indian Mobile Operators are ready with 3G Network where they give download speed of 500kbps as per 3G Standard!

So, the iconic technology revelation of the year will act just as another smartphone in India for next few months till GOI allots spectrum needed for true 3G network!

Read this article : Govt to finalise 3G spectrum auction process by Sept 30
So, according to me relax and watch this auction to finish! Then only you get to be in 3G in India.