OREANDA-NEWS.  September 02, 2013. Sistema Shyam TeleServices Ltd. (SSTL), which operates its telecom services under the MTS brand in India, today announces its unaudited consolidated financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2013.

Key Financial & Operational Highlights for the Second Quarter of 2013

- Revenues in 9* operational circles grew by 2.4% Q-o-Q. However, consolidated revenues decreased by 17% Q-o-Q to INR 2,909 million (USD 52 million) due to reduction of footprint.

- Success of SSTL's data strategy is evident with non voice revenues contributing 34.4% of total quarterly revenues, the highest in the industry.

- SSTL's HSD services now cover over 450 towns across 9 circles.

- In the 9 operational circles, data card subscriber base fell by 1.7% on account of clean up of subscriber base. However SSTL's active subscriber base continues to grow. The Company's data card subscriber base for the quarter declined by 26% to 1.16 million subscribers due reduction of footprint.

- Blended mobileARPU for the quarter increased by 9%to INR 89 on account of elimination of impact of lower ARPU of exit circles.

- Minutes of usage increased by 11% to 328 during the quarter (Q-o-Q).

- Consolidated OIBDA loss for the quarter stands at INR 2,193 million (USD 39 million). Quarterly OIBDA margins decreased by 15 p.p.

Post Period End Highlights

- SSTL rolled out CDMA EV-DO Rev.B Phase II network in four more cities in Rajasthan i.e. Bhiwadi, Jodhpur, Kota and Udaipur.

According to Dmitry Shukov, Chief Executive Officer of Sistema Shyam Teleservices Ltd:
"SSTL during the quarter focused on further optimizing its operations after the finalization of its 9 circle footprint in March 2013. We continue to invest in our business to further strengthen our data offerings. On the regulatory front, while 100% FDI in telecom is a welcome move, however a lot more needs to be done to bring further investments in the sector. We are hopeful that the government will do its best to bring back investor confidence."

* Delhi, Kolkata, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh (West) & West Bengal