Sistema Shyam Teleservices (SSTL) which operates in India as MTS India, saw a significant 12% decline in its data card subscribers for the quarter - registering 1.56 million subscribers for the quarter ending March 31, 2013 (Q1 2013). The non-voice revenues which includes data and VAS revenues, was at Rs 125.5 crore for the quarter, down 13% from 143.7 crore revenues in the previous quarter. The non-voice revenues accounted for 35.7% of MTS India's total revenues during the quarter, down from 36.8% in the previous quarter. Highlights - Blended mobile ARPU increased by 2.5% to Rs 81 for the quarter. - Minutes of Use increased to 295 million minutes for the quarter, up 10% from 268 million minutes reported in the previous quarter. The company attributed this growth to the increase in traffic during the festive season. - Sistema reported a total mobile subscriber base of 11.92 million customers for the quarter ending March 31, 2012, a 20% decline from the previous quarter. The company attributed this decline to strict control over its sales and marketing expenditure and market competition. - While the total data card subscribers was down 12% to 1.56 million subscribers for the quarter, it declined by only 1% in nine telecom circles where the company is currently operational. MTS India attributed this decline to the new subscriber acquisition policy. - Sistema secured CDMA spectrum in eight telecom circles for Rs 3,639 crore in the 2G spectrum auctions held in March 2013. Sistema bought 3 blocks (of 1.25 MHz of spectrum each) in Delhi, Kolkata, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh (West) and West Bengal telecom…
