Micromax launches cheapest 3G handset; bundles with MTNL

NEW DELHI: State-run MTNL on Wednesday launched the country's first operator branded 3G handset with Gurgaon-based Micromax.

H 360, the Micromax 3G handset, will be bundled with MTNL's 3G services ('Jadoo') based on the chipset provided by US-based technology major Qualcomm.

H 360 will be exclusively available to MTNL customers at a price of Rs 5,500, which will be the cheapest handset at the moment in India.

The handset will offer realtime development, high speed Internet, video telephony, besides, social networking applications like Facebook and Orkut.

"This 3G handset will be for the masses, a breakaway from the expensive handsets available in the market" Micromax MD Rajesh Aggarwal said.

MTNL, which has launched 3G services in Delhi and Mumbai, is hopeful of garnering more customers with this bundling.

The 3G handset market, where the service is yet to be launched by private operators, is going to see huge competition as the market for high and low end handsets will co exist.

Private telecom operators are expected to launch 3G services by October next year.