Search engine giant is reported to be just two weeks away from launching its much-awaited Google Phone (Gphone) and has started talks with service providers in India for an exclusive debut on one of their networks.

Google plans to invest US$7 to US$8 billion for its global telephony foray, according to India-based news website Rediff.com.

Talks are believed to be taking place with India's first- and third-largest mobile telephony operators - Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Essar respectively - and state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam.

Google is believed to be in talks with Indian providers to offer data and content and platforms including Instant Messaging (IM) and Search functions. Rediff.com could not confirm this, however.

The report also quoted sources close to the development as saying that a simultaneous launch across the US and Europe is expected.

According to sources, Google is just waiting for US regulatory approval. It is expected to announce this to the media soon.

Further fuelling the speculation, tech news website InformationWeek.com reported earlier this week that Google's CEO, Eric Schmidt had said that his company would likely bid on the upcoming 700 MHz spectrum auction for broadband in the US.

This raises the prospect of Google owning spectrum and offering cell.

Tech blogger Stephen Wellman from InformationWeek.com said on his blog: "Despite Google's tendancy to avoid hardware, the Google Phone could give the company two things it doesn't currently have."

"One, assuming the device is sold for a relatively low cost, it could give Google a means to spreading smartphone-like functionality in developing markets -- all powered by Google's software and services, of course."

He added: "Such a low-cost device would seem to mesh with Google's mobile strategy -- targeting more eyeballs on the third screen and growing the mobile Web in developing market." .

As to whether the Gphone will make its debut, we will know in a fortnight.