Bundling of Mobile Handsets with Plans and in the way thus subsidizing the cost of hardware is something very common in the US & Europe. Aircel has introduced similar plan in India where in the cost of hardware will be just 50% if you lock-into a Post-Paid plan with Aircel.

The following chart shows the iPhone 4S Reduced Cost in India which will be 50% discount to suggested retail price in the Indian market.
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With Mobile Number Portability, you can always keep your number and switch to Aircel from Airtel which is seeing lot of complaints these days.