MTS adds nearly 800,000 customers with Android smartphones (India)

On 11.22.11, In Mobile, By Editor

MTS, a unit of Sistema Syam TeleServices Limited (SSTL), has reportedly added around 800,000 customers in the month of October alone, with the launch of two low cost Android smartphones – MTS MTag 3.1 and MTS Livewire priced under US$ 100.

According to reports, a spokesperson for MTS has said that they were able to get 7,95,523 customers in the festive month of October because they gave the CDMA consumers the option to choose from a variety of Android phones at different price points and they also initiated a lot of awareness campaign across the country. He added that the launch of the two smartphones in the festive season helped propel their growth.

As per sources, pre-paid users received 150 minutes of calls, 150 SMSs and 150 MB of data free every month for 12 months, with the smartphone. Whereas postpaid users were offered a 12 month contract during which users had to pay Rs 250 each month, against which they received 250 minutes of calls, 250 SMSs and 250 MB of data free each month.

 

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MTS launches MBlaze Ultra in Jaipur (India)

On 09.07.11, In Mobile Technology, By Editor

Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited (SSTL), operating under the brand name of MTS, has announced the launch of an upgraded version of its broadband service, MBlaze. According to reports, Vsevolod Rozanov, President and CEO, MTS India, said that the launch will redefine the way customers experience mobile broadband with the roll out of MBlaze Ultra.

The MBlaze Ultra which has initially been launched in Jaipur, offers a speed of 9.8 Mbps and is expected to be available in top metros and other cities over time.  Sources claim that in comparision to the earlier version, the new technology can further enhance the base transceiver station cell capacity, spectrum efficiency and peak rate.

 

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MTS offers ½ Paisa per second for ‘Lifetime’ (India)

On 03.24.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited (SSTL) that provides telecommunication services under the brand MTS, today announced an exciting Value Maximizer offer. For the first time in India, customers across Maharashtra & Goa can now avail ½ paisa/second tariff plan for “LIFETIME’ on all local calls without any condition. Additionally, a customer will also get a talk time worth Rs. 200 and an MTS Handset all for Rs. 799/- Only.

According to Ashoo Sethi, Chief Operating Officer, Mumbai, Maharashtra & Goa Circle, Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited (SSTL) “MTS having launched its new global brand identity is committed to be ‘A Step Ahead’. In sync with this brand philosophy we are excited to bring special offer for the customers of Maharashtra & Goa circle. The offer includes providing unconditional ½ paisa/second tariff plan for lifetime on all local calls along with Rs. 200 Talk Time and an MTS Handset for just Rs 799.”

This offer is valid on all local calls across Mumbai, Maharashtra & Goa telecom circles. The Handset bundle offer where in the customers would get a Rs. 200 as talk time, ½ paisa for lifetime along with a handset, is available across Maharashtra and Goa except Mumbai Telecom Circle.

Besides Voice, MTS has been really strong in terms of Data Business. MTS has more than 50,000 data customers in Maharashtra & Goa enjoying high speed network. The company has drawn plans to have a total of 150 Company Flagship stores across the circle, in the next 3 months.
MTS – A Step Ahead; More about the new global brand identity.

When you refuse to step back, you step ahead. This thought runs embedded in the new MTS brand identity. It propels the passion for discoveries, an inspiration to stay ahead in terms of innovation, a promise to offer the best to the consumer. The new MTS identity relates to a new belief in India – that your present does not determine your Future. With a range of technologies and services, the brand enables you to bet on yourself, to never say no, to challenge existing beliefs, to “do what you can’t”.

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MTS slashes calling rates to Japan (India)

On 03.17.11, In Mobile, By Editor

MTS has slashed its calling rates to Japan by 78% to US%$0.04 a minute to help connect people with friends in the earthquake-struck nation.

According to MTS India Chief Marketing Officer Leonid Musatov, there are people all over India who are concerned about the well being of their friends and loved ones. In an endeavour to do its bit, MTS India has taken a decision to drop the calling rates to Japan.The earlier calling rate was US$0.20 per minute.

 

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MTS crosses 10 mn customers mark, re-brands itself (India)

On 03.16.11, In Mobile, By Editor

MTS which is owned by Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited (SSTL) has re-branded itself with a new tag “A step ahead” to celebrate the achievement of over 10 million subscriber base in the country.

According to Vsevolod Rozanov, President and Chief Executive officer SSTL, it is indeed a proud moment for the company to have crossed the 10 million customer milestone. They had started this journey about two years ago in Tamil Nadu and have crossed this milestone in less than two years.

MTS has also launched MTS Pulse, an Android based, 3.2 inch touch screen smartphone designed by Taiwanese manufacturer HTC costing US$398.57 (Rs.18,000), which the customers can get free of cost by signing a postpaid agreement with the operator.

As part of the post paid agreement, the customer will need to do is sign up for a monthly rental of US$332.14 (Rs.15,000) with a commitment for 12 months and they would get the smartphone free. Also, bundled with the scheme are 1,500 minutes free talk time, 1,500 text messages and 1,500 MB data usage every month for 12 months.

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MTS launches MBlaze in Gujarat

On 03.04.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited (SSTL), operating its telecom services under the brand “MTS”, today announced the launch of its high-speed mobile broadband service, MBlaze in Gujarat. The Company has rolled out its high speed mobile internet services in Ahmedabad, Baroda, Rajkot, Surat, Gandhinagar, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Kodinar and Verawal. With this launch, SSTL has brought in a rich portfolio of world-class voice and data services for its customers in Gujarat.

According to Cheenu Seshadri, Chief Strategy Officer, Sistema Shyam TeleServices Ltd, “MTS is committed to building a business model based on its unique and differentiated ‘Data centric, Voice enabled’ strategy. As part of this commitment, the company is rapidly expanding its data footprint in the country and currently offers High Speed Mobile broadband services under the MBlaze brand in over 130 towns across India including 75 of top-100 cities across the country. Specifically, looking at Gujarat, it is a key market for us and we have earmarked Rs. 100 Crore to roll out our voice and high-speed data services across the state.”

Given the scale and speed of rollout of MBlaze service across the country, MTS now addresses over 92% of the data potential across India.

According to Navid Rashid, Chief Operating Officer, Gujarat circle, Sistema Shyam Teleservices Ltd, “We are excited to launch our High Speed Mobile Broadband service in nine towns across Gujarat. The launch of MBlaze services is supported by a robust network of 8500 retail outlets and 15 company flagship stores, backed by a world class customer care set up. Customers in Gujarat will now be able to enjoy the unmatched MBlaze experience coupled with attractive tariffs and innovative offerings.”

Data Opportunity In India

As per Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) December 2010 report, the broadband penetration in India stands at just 0.8% as against the Teledensity of 60.99% as of September 2010. This in-turn translates to a mere 10.3 million broadband connections by the end of 2010. The National Broadband Plan envisages provision of 160 million broadband connections including 60 million wireless broadband connections by the year 2014. Hence, there is a huge opportunity for the growth and proliferation of High Speed Mobile Broadband services in the country.

Special Attractions

MBlaze World Cup Pack
• MBlaze World Cup Pack On recharging with Rs. 496, MBlaze customers to get 5 GB data usage free. Additionally, for every Indian victory in the world cup, MBlaze customers will get 250MB data usage free. If India wins all its matches including the world cup final, the customers will get over 2 GB data usage absolutely free.

MBlaze Tariff Advantage
• To suit everyone’s pocket, MTS has introduced attractive data usage plans starting from Rs.198.

• Customers also have the option to enjoy unlimited data usage with Unlimited MBlazer priced at just Rs. 999 with a 30 day validity.
MTS TV Access to Live TV and Video on Demand

• Using MBlaze dongles and HSD (High Speed Data) compatible handsets, MTS customers can enjoy video streaming, High quality audio/video download and live play back.

• With MTS TV, customers can watch over 60 LIVE TV and on demand Video Channels. The customers will get access to a range of News, Entertainment, Sports and Regional channels.

Exciting Offers for MBlaze Customers
• MTS has tied up with Hewlett Packard (HP) On purchase of an HP laptop, customers can get MBlaze for just Rs. 999; made available through prepaid plans

 

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SSTL’s 20% stake sale to Russian government in Q1’11 (India,Russia)

On 12.20.10, In Mobile, By Editor

If sources are to be believed, Russian government will complete the deal to pick up 20% stake for $600 million in Sistema Shyam telecom joint venture by first quarter of 2011.

SSTL is a joint venture between India’s Shyam Group and Russian conglomerate Sistema. Sistema-Shyam (SSTL) JV was one of the nine new telecom operators who were given licences in 2008.

The company has also signed a letter of mandatetoday with Russia-based Gazprombank for a loan of $200 million which will be used for launching network.

According to SSTL President and CEO Vsevolod Rozanov, the company will complete all the technicalities related with the $600 million loan from the Russian Government for a 20% stake sale by the first quarter of next year and also for the bank loan.

In September, 2010, the government of the Russian Federation had approved an equity investment of $600 million in SSTL to pick up a 20% stake, which will be in the form of Indian rupees held in accounts representing the Indian government’s debt to the Russian Federation.

On the loan deal, the formal procedure of mandate letter was executed between Gazprombank and SSTL for rising of funds for the amount equivalent to $200 million. The signing of the mandate letter by Gazprombank for raising a loan of $200 million in favor of SSTL is very significant for the company.It further reinforces commitment to launch a world class telecom network in India by harnessing the power of CDMA technology. This is bound to benefit both their customers and also create value for all our shareholders.

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India, Russia may team-up to produce telecom hardware

On 10.13.10, In Mobile, By Editor

According to Telecom and IT Minister A Raja, India and Russia could set up a joint venture for producing telecom hardware to meet the growing domestic demand even as government readies to roll out 3G and WiMax broadband in the country.

Raja told reporters that Russia is among the four countries, including the US, Taiwan and Korea, which have the capacity of making silicon chips for 3G and WiMax. The idea of an Indo-Russian JV in India came up after Raja visited the Micron Company, which produces silicon chips.

According to Raja, it is an integrated company with full cycle of production from silicon wafers to micro chips. India will welcome technical and financial contribution from Russia in the JV.

Russia is among the first few countries to implement commercial cellular networks of WiMax. At present they function in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Sochi and some other cities.

Raja is the first Indian Telecom and IT Minister to visit Russia after the former IT Minister Pramod Mahajan’s Moscow visit in September 2001. The government then had promised to invest heavily in the Russian IT sector, famous for its Hi-End software.

Raja also visited the hi-tech Emergency Response Centre of the disaster management authority of the country in Moscow, which continuously receives online data from all over the country and automatically disseminates it among the concerned bodies.

Raja had discussed with his Russian counterpart Igor Shchegolev in Moscow to explore the possibilities for interaction in IT and telecom.

According to Raja, they believe that joint work will bring information and communication technology to the masses. The two sides have agreed to sign a MoU to this effect.

The Russian IT and Mass Media Minister Shchegolev told Raja that they believe, this technology is ready for export.

The two ministers expressed satisfaction at the ongoing bilateral cooperation in the space-based navigation system GLONASS and productive activities of Russian-Indian venture Sistema Shyam Teleservices Ltd (SSTL), marketing cellular services in India under MTS brand.

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Sistema Shyam’s call for additional spectrum rejected by DoT (India)

On 04.20.10, In Mobile, By Editor

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Sistema Shyam’s demand for additional airwaves in line with other new entrants using GSM technology has been rejected by the Indian telecom department. Sistema’s demand was put forward by Sistema chairman, Vladimir Yevtushenkov during his recent visit to India.

In its argument, the company has said that Sistema Shyam (SSTL) had received only 2.5 MHz of spectrum for every circle in comparison with the 4.4 MHz initially allocated to all GSM players.

However, the Department of Telecom has made it clear that under the existing norms, Sistema demand cannot be met as start-up spectrum for companies offering services on CDMA platform was only 2.5 MHz, while for GSM, it was 4.4 MHz.

According to the department, CDMA is a more spectrum-efficient technology when compared to GSM, and could therefore cater to more customers comparatively for the same amount of spectrum and additional airwaves will be issued to telcos only after the government comes up with a new methodology to allot this scarce resource.

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Russian PM announces financial assistance for MTS India

On 03.17.10, In Mobile, By Editor

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Financial support from the Russian government for Indian mobile operator SSTL has been announced by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. SSTL operates under the brand name MTS India. He made the announcement while on a visit to India.

20 percent stake in SSTL is also planned to be purchased by the Russian government for USD 676 million.

SSTL is a joint venture of Russian telecommunications holding company Sistema and India’s Shyan group.

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