iPod touch (gen 2) delayed in India indefinitely? (Updated)
While the new iPod classic and iPod nano have been available in India for some time now, iPod touch has been conspicuously missing from the stores here. A little probing into the matter has revealed that the new iPod touch has run into some delays with Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) wing of Ministry of Communications, India. While I hadn’t heard of WPC before, it seems like the equivalent of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in India. This is also the first time I am hearing about consumer wireless devices needing to go through some kind of testing/licensing process before sales in India. Our sources say that it could be 3-4 months before the device is available for sales. This is one instance where I hope our sources are wrong, and iPod touch makes it in time for Christmas at least!
p.s. WPC has a website, which seems to be down at the moment (surprise!). Google’s cache reveals the following:
The WIRELESS PLANNING & COORDINATION (WPC) Wing of the Ministry of Communications, created in 1952, is the National Radio Regulatory Authority responsible for Frequency Spectrum Management, including licensing and caters for the needs of all wireless users (Government and Private) in the country. It exercises the statutory functions of the Central Government and issues licenses to establish, maintain and operate wireless stations. WPC is divided into major sections like Licensing and Regulation (LR), New Technology Group (NTG) and Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency Allocation (SACFA). SACFA makes the recommendations on major frequency allocation issues, formulation of the frequency allocation plan, making recommendations on the various issues related to International Telecom Union (ITU), to sort out problems referred to the committee by various wireless users, Siting clearance of all wireless installations in the country etc.
Go figure!
Update: (Nov 9) Just got off the phone with iStore in Bangalore and they have the iPod touch available now in all 3 capacities. We’ve updated the iPod price list too.