Shyam-Sistema brings international brand MTS to India

Shyam Telelink announced a strategic tie-up with Mobile TeleSystems of Russia that will bring the globally acclaimed brand MTS to India for offering telecom services. Shyam Telelink, which is in a partnership with Russia’s Sistema, has the licence to offer mobile services throughout the country and has already launched services in Rajasthan about two months ago. The services can now be offered under global brand MTS. MTS is the largest mobile phone operator in Russia and in the CIS. In April 2008, MTS brand was recognised as one of 100 most powerful brands, a ranking published by the Financial Times and Millward Brown, a leading global market research and consulting firm. Under the terms of the agreement, Shyam Telelink will have the right to use the MTS brand in all its marketing communications and advertising in India. STL decision to introduce the MTS brand in India is in line with the company's vision to introduce the world class services and offerings in the Indian market and to pursue global standards in India. “At Shyam Telelink, our endeavour is to provide the world class, affordable mobile services,” said Shyam Telelink Limited CEO Vsevolod Rozanov. “Coming to market with a fully developed and globally recognised brand will give us a clear competitive advantage in the market place. The MTS brand offers Shyam Telelink a valuable portfolio of marketing guidelines that will provide time and cost advantages.” The agreement is limited to using the MTS brand in India and there is no participation in Shyam TeleLinks operations or launching MTS products or services in India. The terms also stipulate that MTS will act as the brand guardian to insure brand usage and marketing communications adhere to the MTS brand guidelines.