Sistema rolls out mobile phone services in Kolkata
21 May 2009
Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited (SSTL), a joint venture between Russia's Sistema and the Shyam Group, today launched its mobile phone services in Kolkata, under the MTS brand.
Kolkata is SSTL's fourth cellular circle after the successful roll-out in Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the company said in a release.
''MTS is truly poised to be the pan-India cellular service brand of choice. The launch of services in Kolkata is the next strategic step in our plan to create a global service brand in India. We have made significant investments in India, and large investment portions have been earmarked to expand our network,'' Vsevolod Rozanov, president and CEO of Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited, said at the launch.
''We look forward to continue expanding our services nationally in the coming months, with licences for 22 circles across India,'' he added.
He said the company would invest around $150 million in the next three-four years in Kolkata and West Bengal.
The company would expand services to other parts of West Bengal by next month and to Bihar and Jharkhand by July, he said.
Sistema Shyam Teleservices is planning to launch its services in Delhi by August and expects to start pan-India operations by the third quarter of 2010.
