Mobile operator Sistema Shyam TeleServices (SSTL), which operates in India under the MTS brand, posted revenues of INR 3.57 billion in the first quarter of the year, which represents an increase of 12 percent compared to the year-earlier quarter. Total revenue growth was mainly boosted by data services, the company said.
OIBDA loss for the quarter narrowed to INR 1.29 billion at 31 March 2015, on account of data revenues growth, optimization of marketing expenditure and reduction in interconnect charges during the quarter. Net loss decreased by 19 percent quarter-on-quarter. The net loss reduction was mainly due to optimization of sales and marketing expenses and forex gains. SSTL made investments of INR 496 million (USD 8 million) during this year’s first quarter.
The operator’s mobile subscriber base slightly declined quarter-on-quarter and reached 8.9 million customers at 31 March 2015. Blended mobile ARPU for the quarter increased by 4.2 percent to INR 127 (USD 2) on account of increase in data usage. Non-Voice revenues increased by 11.1 percent during the quarter t INR 1.82 billion. The company’s data card subscriber base for the quarter rose 9.4 percent to 1.8 million subscribers. Non-voice revenues now contribute 51.1 percent of total quarterly revenues.
