MTS launches 3 smartphones

MTS, the CDMA brand of the CDMA mobile services brand of Sistema Shyam Teleservices (SSTL), has introduced three smartphones in the Indian market. The company’s plan of foraying into the segment were earlier reported by Telecom Yatra.
The three products launched are Buzz, Alive and Ivory. The OEM’s for these devices are ZTE, Micromax and Fly respectively. The products are already available at MTS 140 showrooms across Delhi and NCR.
While Buzz and Alive run of respective OEM’s propriety platforms, Ivory runs on Windows Mobile 6.1. Lenny Musatov, chief marketing officer, SSTL informed that though Ivory will be shipped with Win Mob 6.1 OS, it can be upgraded to Win Mob 6.5.
Ivory will be retailed at a priced of approximately Rs 13,500 while Alive and Buzz are priced at Rs 6000 and Rs 5000 respectively.
Musatov further informed that the company wont go in for TV commercials just now. “The operators focus would remain on OOH and digital for marketing as of now. Also, our branded stores will act as demonstration centre. We’ll go in for the TV advertisements once we launch our high end products as well.”
MTS would be extending its current portfolio of smartphones to ten by the end of this year and more phones would be launched in a month’s time.
The portfolio would include devices based on Android platform as well as BlackBerry devices. The phones launched would run on Android v2.1.
Speaking on the BlackBerry issue Vsevolod Rozanov, President and CEO, SSTL said, “We are ready for launching our BlackBerry devices and are waiting for government’s decision.”
He added, “Since we have not launched the devices yet, we haven’t received any intimation form the government on this issue.”