Q3)  Do you intend to offer mobile services on GSM platform as well in future since you have necessary licenses?

Ans: While we have UASL (Unified Access Service License), which enables us to operate in both CDMA and GSM technologies, we have no immediate plans to announce or launch anything in GSM, as we see tremendous potential in the CDMA market.

Q4) What are the major challenges you foresee in the Indian market?

Ans: Low tariff, declining average revenues per user (ARPU), urban markets inching towards saturation, and scarcity of spectrum are some of the current challenges for operators.

However, we do see a silver lining. In spite of the declining ARPU and tariff, companies in India have been successful in achieving good profit margins by mitigating their operational costs.

The issue of scarcity of spectrum, looming large on all operators, is also expected to get resolved with the Department of Telecom proposing a complete revamp of the existing spectrum management policies and processes.

Q5) You say your focus is on rural market. But enterprises also form a significant segment in India. How do you intend to address the demands of this market apart from the traditional voice services?

Ans: Yes, with the tele-density in rural India still being very low, we will focus on tapping the market.

As MTS is fully a prepaid, we are currently focused to serve customers in the individuals segment. We have received very good response from the corporate segment as well in Rajasthan and Chennai.

Q6) What are your network rollout plans. Are you on the look out for infrastructure sharing as well?

Ans: We have obtained the license for all 22 circles and we plan to cover nation-wide service by Q2-Q3 of 2010. We have already launched our services in five circles – Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal, Kolkata and will be launching the 6th circle by the end of this week. 

We significantly expanded our operations in the last few months, and will be launching services in Delhi, Karnataka, Haryana and Maharashtra circles by the end of this calendar year.