Telecom company Sistema Shyam TeleServices (SSTL), which operates through the MTS brand in India, on Tuesday said it expects lot of collaborations subsequent to the spectrum auctions.
“A lot of partnerships between other players are expected once this auction ends. We don’t know who will be winner of the 800 MHz, but we will have negotiations with others to provide services,” Dmitry Shukov, Chief Executive Officer, SSTL, said.
Sharing airwavesThe company is waiting for the guidelines for sharing and trading of airwaves for its business expansion, he said. The company uses 800 MHz, which is also known as CDMA spectrum, to provide mobile services.
Dmitry said since lot of data flow happens post spectrum auctions, the ecosystem for devices will also grow and companies will co-ordinate strategies to each other for services and to upgrade the existing equipments.
“There will be a good development of the overall industry in the next two-three years as this auction will be a growth driver for coverage,” he added.
AbstainingHowever, SSTL is put off by the high reserved prices and is not bidding in the ongoing spectrum auction.
The company was the lone bidder in the CDMA spectrum auction held in March 2013, which purchased fresh airwaves only in eight circles. At present, the company has operations in nine circles including Delhi, Kolkata, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh (West), West Bengal and Rajasthan.
Quarter resultsMeanwhile, the company announced its results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, wherein it reported a net loss of ₹481.4 crore due to increase in forex losses.
It had posted a net loss of ₹445.5 crore in the corresponding period previous year.
However, SSTL’s revenue grew by 17 per cent at ₹351 crore during the quarter as compared with ₹300 crore in the October-December quarter in 2013.
The company reported mobile subscriber base of around 90 lakh as of December 31.