MTS expands data network in Kerala, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh
MTS expands data network in Kerala, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh
MTS brand will expand its wireless data network in Gujarat, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, the company said on Monday.
MTS India sells high-speed mobile broadband through MBlaze dongles, available in 43 branded retail outlets, 4000 mass retail outlets and 150 organized retail outlets across the country. The dongles also offer live television and video on demand services.
With the expansion, the telco extended its reach to 59 towns in Kerala, 22 towns in Gujarat and 21 towns in Andhra Pradesh.
Executives say that the company has been expanding the wireless data network rapidly and presently addresses over 92% of data potential across India.
According to Indian telecoms regulator Trai, as of December last year, the broadband penetration in India stands at 1% as against the mobile tele-density of 74.15% and 13.30 million broadband connections as of December 2011.
The National Broadband Plan, envisaging 160 million broadband connections including 60 million wireless broadband connections by the year 2014, is a growth opportunity for the telco.
However, the Indian Supreme Court recently cancelled 21 of 22 telecoms permits acquired by the telco in 2008 affecting around 12.5 million customers and around 3,500 employees. The February 2, 2012 verdict also put a question on the Russian parent's $ 3 billion investment in India.
Sistema Shyam is a joint venture between Russia's Sistema and India's Shyam Group where the former holds a majority share. MTS has over 15 million mobile subscribers and 1.5 million wireless broadband customers in India.
