OREANDA-NEWS. November 22, 2012. 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 Third Quarter ended September 30, 2012.

Key Financial & Operational Highlights for the Third Quarter of 2012

- Consolidated revenues down by 3.3% Q-o-Q to INR 4,040 million (USD 73 million). Total wireless (Voice & Data) subscriber base for the quarter grew by 0.2% to 16.6 million.

- Non-voice revenues from both data and mobile VAS for the quarter remained flat Q-o-Q at INR 1,482 million (USD 27 million), which now contributes 36.7% of total revenue. The contribution of Non Voice Revenues to the Total Revenues is amongst the highest in the industry.

- Blended mobile ARPU for the quarter declined by 6% Q-o-Q to INR 78.

- SSTL's data card subscriber base for the quarter up by 5.9% to 1.83 million subscribers. SSTL added 0.10 million data card subscribers during the quarter.

- The Company continues to develop its data business- HSD services now cover over 450 towns across India.

- Consolidated OIBDA loss for the quarter stands at INR 3,541 million (USD 63.5 mn). OIBDA margins improved 20 p.p. Q-o-Q.

According to Vsevolod Rozanov, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sistema Shyam Teleservices Ltd,"The telecom industry continues to suffer due to regulatory actions. In a seasonally weak quarter the revenues of SSTL were impacted. The revenues declined for the first time since the start of the Company's operations. The subscriber growth during the quarter also suffered on account of uncertainties in the operating environment and due to the predatory practices adopted by competition. Going forward, the plan includes to continue our focus on driving operational efficiencies. In addition, the Company's immediate priority is to look at the outcome of its curative petition filed in the Honorable Supreme Court."