Mobile subscribers may be able to log into third generation (3G) technology by October

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next year, after the government’s announcement that auction for 3G spectrum and WiMax will be completed within three months.

“After the announcement, there is optimism in the industry. We expect the commercial launch of 3G services in India by next Diwali (2010),” Bharti Airtel CEO Manoj Kohli said on the sidelines of a Qualcomm event. Kohli said data average revenue per user (ARPU) had grown by 860 per cent since the launch of 3G mobile services in the US. “At present, non-voice business contributes about 10 per cent to the telecom operator’s revenues. We expect this to grow after the launch of 3G,” he added.

Indian consumers can get access to a 3G-enabled mobile phone for about $100 and by October next year, 3G phones would be available for as low as $50, Kohli said.