MTS, the only CDMA-exclusive service provider, now eyes the GSM customers in India. The company plans to team up with smartphone makers such as Samsung and Micromax.
Sistema Shyam TeleServices (SSTL), which provides telecom services under the MTS brand in India, is looking to expand its base in India. The company plans to do so by partnering with the various handset makers such as Samsung and Micromax to launch low-cost and mid-range dual-SIM smartphones that support both GSM and CDMA technology.
Moreover, the company has launched a dual-SIM (CDMA GSM) phone for the West Bengal market. The phone features a 2.4-inch LCD screen, Audio Player/Audio Recorder, 3.5 mm universal ear jack, Video recorder and play-MP4 support, 1.3 MP Camera, FM Radio and Bluetooth. MTS is offering voice and SMS benefits worth Rs. 600 free with the phone, priced at Rs. 1,699.
West Bengal chief operating officer Sandeep Marwaha says such handsets will help the company bag GSM customers who are looking to have a cheaper voice product without leaving the current connection.
MTS’ dual-SIM phone for West Bengal market
“Our average voice tariff has remained flat in the past year compared to 15-25% rise in voice tariff by GSM players,” MTS regional head (marketing) Pallab Majumdar said.
MTS says it gets 70 percent of the total revenue from its 10 million voice customers, while the remaining comes from its 1.5 lakh data customers. According to Marwaha, the company is seeing around 5-6 percent growth month-on-month in data segment.
“We are still in customer acquisition mode in both voice and data. While we will move up the chain in data to acquire more upper middle income and lower high income users, the introduction of the new phone is a bid to broaden the voice base by targeting low income entry level customers,” Sandeep Marwaha is quoted as saying.
The official revealed the company plans to increase its subscriber base by 1 lakh in the Bengal circle alone. The company boasts of 10 million customers in nine circles it operators. In addition, MTS has 1.5 lakh high-end data subscribers. “The company’s focus remains on data and In Bengal, we are close to the market leader in data services. Simultaneously, we are broadening the base in voice,” said Marwaha.
The comments come month after the company announced closing operations in 10 circles – a move that would impact 22 million customers. MTS will be shutting down its operations in the following circles – Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, North East and Punjab.
Source: Times of India