While operators are getting ready for the upcoming 3G auctions, international and Indian handset manufacturers are planning to increase their 3G-enabled phone offerings in India, or to tie up with existing 3G providers.

3G is a faster and enhanced mobile communications technology which provides broadband like experience on mobile phones and enables users to experience the power of internet on the move.

Some of these handset manufacturers like Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, amongst others, have already tied up with the 3G providers like MTNL and BSNL; they are eagerly awaiting the private operators to launch 3G services.

?We have tied up with BSNL and MTNL for our 3G handsets. Our range of 3G handsets starts from as low as Rs 7,000. We will come up with more 3G enabled phones in this financial year,? said V Ramnath, director, operator channels, Nokia India.

Many of these handset manufacturers are awaiting 3G implementation so as to partner with the private telecom operators to give their subscribers value for money. This would mean packaging the handset with the service provider to offer combined low cost offers (exactly like what AT&T does for iPhone).

According to research firm Frost & Sullivan, 3G subscribers in Asia Pacific is forecasted to grow at CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 50.1% (2005 – 2011) to reach 178 million subscribers by end-2011. Also, by the year 2012, 30% of Indian mobile handsets would be 3G enabled. 3G is all set to drive the convergence of mobile phones and entertainment for enhanced mobile entertainment experience.

As per Anil Sethi, president, Sony Ericsson India , with 3G, the company wishes to broaden the market for third party developers to build innovative mobile content and applications on one of the most robust and flexible environments in the industry.

HTC India, which is a player in the high consumer segment, said that the company currently has four 3G enabled phones and more than 90% of handsets that it would be launching would be 3G enabled.

?Currently, we have five 3G enabled handsets in our portfolio. However, we plan to add an array of new devices in our portfolio during the current calendar year, out of which we plan to launch approximately fifteen 3G enabled devices LG India, said Anil Arora, business group marketing head, mobile communication, LG Electronics India.

Not only the big players, the small Indian new entrants too are betting big on 3G. ?Currently, we have 11 handset models available in the market with 4 new models scheduled to launch this month. Our 3G enabled handsets will be available from September 2009,? said Sudhir Hasija, managing director, United Telelinks.