MTS eyes 30% CDMA market share in Gujarat

Having rolled out its prepaid CDMA mobile telephony services, MTS, in Gujarat, Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited (SSTL) is now eyeing to grab a market share of 30 per cent in the state. Entering its 13th circle in the country, SSTL intends to build an MTS subscriber base of two lakhs for voice users and 6,000 data users by end of 2011.

"“The launch of MTS services in Gujarat will provide mobile customers the access to our nationally successful half paisa per second tariff plan. In-addition to an unmatched tariff, our focus is also to provide a world class customer care service and add more value-for-money for customer through innovative products like Recharge Booster, where we give 25 per cent extra talk time with every subsequent recharge for a year. By 2011 end, we have a target of two lakh voice users and 6,000 data users. We are expecting a CDMA market share of 30 per cent in Gujarat," said Navid Rashid, Chief Operating Officer, Gujarat.

SSTL's launch plan, spread across 245 towns and 5,000 villages, includes an investment of Rs 100 crore in Gujarat. These funds will be utilised in building the service network for MTS customers across the circle. Over the next ­3 months, MTS customers would also be serviced by a network of over 150 dealers and 31000 retail outlets across the state. Going forward, MTS also plans to launch its high speed mobile broadband service in Gujarat under its flagship data brand 'MBlaze' by first quarter of 2011.

Additionally, MTS plans to launch its post paid mobile services in the state by Q1 2011. "Mobile customers in Gujarat will now get to experience the services of a global brand like MTS, which stands for world class telecom services backed by seamless connectivity on a congestion free network," said Vsevolod Rozanov, president and chief executive officer, Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited (SSTL).

Going forward, MTS also intends to establish a strong data services business in Gujarat. "In voice and data, we are looking at 80:20 ratio in urban areas, and 90:10 in rural areas in Gujarat. We want to be known strongly as a data brand as well," Rashid added.

In a short span of time, MTS has secured over 7.5 million subscribers. The company is present in 12 other circles including Kolkata, West Bengal & Sikkim, Rajasthan, Chennai & Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Bihar & Jharkhand, Mumbai, Maharashtra & Goa, Delhi & NCR, Haryana, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. MBlaze, the data service of MTS, offered in 84 towns of India, has over 3.5 lakh mobile broadband customers so far since its launch in November 2009.