In a first of its kind offer Sistema Shyam has launched a service whereby mobile users can make free calls in return for watching an advertising clip. Sistema Shyam, which operates under the MTS brand, is the first Indian operator to offer such a service.

The MTS mAd service is available on all Android devices on the MTS network including MTS MTag 3.1, MTS MTag 351, MTS MTag 352, MTS MTag 353, MTS MTag 401, MTS Pulse, Samsung Galaxy Y and Samsung Galaxy Ace Duos CDMA. The company is working to expand the scope of this service by also launching it on Blackberry and BREW-enabled entry-level MTS handsets.

According to Leonid Musatov, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer, MTS India, “The service also provides leading brands an opportunity to connect with their customers in a personalised manner.”

A slew of leading brands including Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Mentos, Center Fresh, Fiat, Kellogg’s, Titan and Lenovo have associated with the MTS mAd service to engage with customers.

MTS mAd service requires no charges for activation, application download or data transfer while watching video ads. The user gets a seamless experience with no buffering and video streaming hassles. Customers using this service can make as many as 4 MTS mAd calls in a day.

Customers using Android devices on the MTS network just need to send an SMS with keyword “FREE” on the MTS toll free number 55559 or call MTS Customer Care (toll free).

Customers would get the MTS mAd call application WAP link for download; the application needs to be installed on the Smartphone.

After installation, a demo video will start playing automatically, demonstrating the entire process and benefits of service.

Now, whenever the customer makes a call, an automatic pop-up asks the customer for a ‘Free Call’ or ‘Paid Call’.

In case the customer selects free call, a seamless video ad will play for 20-30 seconds, post that the call will be connected. After completion, free 60 seconds of local calling will be credited to the customer’s account and the same will be confirmed via SMS.

The free credit would be paid by the advertisers.

In case a user has already used the daily free call limit, then the ‘Free call pop-up’ will not be displayed.

>thomas.thomas@thehindu.co.in