Russian telecom giant Sistema is likely to participate in the auction for spectrum in 800 MHz band to be held in March. Sistema Shyam Teleservices Ltd (SSTL), which provides CDMA services under MTS brand will bid in at least in important category “A” and category “B” circles, if the cabinet accepts a recommendation by the empowered group of ministers (EGOM) headed by the union finance minister P.Chidambaram to reduce reserve price for 800MHz band by 50%.

SSTL is a leading telecom operator providing CDMA services and has over 16 million subscribers. Out of which 1.7 million are that of its data services.

Its biggest advantage over its competitors is the quality of services (QOS). It scores over its competitors, both GSM and CDMA operators, over quality of services to its voice and data customers in areas where it operates services.

Under the new proposal, the government would fix a reserve price of 2.5 MHz of Rs 4,500 crore for 2.5 MHz of startup spectrum.

MTS did not participate in the auction that was held in November last year. It said that it did not do anything wrong and it had challenged the Supreme Court decision canceling its licences. The company has filed a curative petition in the Supreme Court.