Sistema Shyam to beef up presence

Sistema Shyam TeleServices (SSTL), a joint venture between Russian conglomerate Sistema and India’s Shyam group, is likely to invest $3-3.5 billion to expand its CDMA business across the country.

Speaking to reporters here on Friday, Srinivasa Rao Saripalli, chief operating officer – Tamil Nadu and Kerala, SSTL, said, the telecom service provider, which launched the service a year ago, has so far invested around $1.5 billion.

The company operates in 11 circles and would go for pan-India expansion by the year-end.

On the proposed investment to expand the service, he said a telecom service provider needs to invest around $4.5 billion (around Rs 20,700 crore) for a pan-india presence.

The company expects a user base of 10 million with the launch of services in 11 new circles. 

To reach out to customers the company is using post offices as its point of presence. “We are trying this in 50 post offices across Chennai. This will be expanded further in the coming months,” he said.

As part of its first year anniversary celebrations, the company announced free calling and data download offers for its customers. It is also planning to launch 10 smart mobile models in the country.

SSTL also said it would look at listing the company going forward.