MTS (network provider)

Mobile TeleSystems
Мобильные ТелеСистемы (МТС)

Type	()
Traded as	: MBT, NASDAQ: MBT, MCX: MTSS
Industry	Telecommunications
Founded	1993
Headquarters	Moscow, Russia
Key people	Andrei Dubovskov
Products	cellular network, local telephone service, broadband, mobile television, cable television, satellite television, digital television
Revenue	US$12.4 billion (2012)
Net income	US$1.0 billion (2012)
Number of employees	58,052
Parent	Sistema
Website	www.mtsgsm.com

MTS (Russian: МТС "Мобильные ТелеСистемы", meaning "Mobile TeleSystems") is the largest mobile operator in Russia and CIS with over 102.4 million subscribers as of 31 December 2009.

Having started in the Moscow license zone in 1994, МТS in 1997 received licenses for further areas and began expansion, later entering other countries of the CIS.

The MTS mobile network operates using the GSM standard. It currently holds licences to provide mobile services in 81 out of 83 regions in Russia and the entire territories of Armenia (VivaCell MTS), Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan. MTS is currently the biggest mobile operator in Central and Eastern Europe.

On October 31, 2008, Vodafone announced a partnership deal with MTS, whereby Vodafone services will be available to MTS subscribers and both companies have noted the potential for more efficient purchasing.

In 2008, Sistema formed 74:26 joint venture with India’s Shyam Group to form Sistema Shyam Teleservices (SSTL), and acquired a pan-India license to provide CDMA services in the country. In March 2009, SSTL launched the MTS brand in the state of Tamil Nadu, followed by neighboring states Kerala and W. Bengal in April and May respectively. Following the cancellation of its licenses by the Supreme Court of India, MTS is present in 9 circles out of 22 telecom circles of India. Media reports suggest that the Russian government was planning to buy a 20% stake in SSTL for about $700000 million.

In 2009 MTS acquired several independent mobile retail chains, creating MTS monobrand retail network of 3300 stores - the second largest retail network in Russia. Also in 2009 MTS started marketing MTS-branded mobile handsets. Already in 2010 MTS became the 5th best selling handset brand in Russia, after Nokia, Samsung, LG and SonyEricsson.