New Delhi, MTS India, the mobile telephony services brand of Sistema Shyam TeleServices Ltd. in coordination with JSFC Sistema invited H E Mr. Vladimir V. Putin, Prime Minister of Russian Federation hosted for first ever live webcast interactive session at 12.45:00 hrs on March 12, 2010 with participants from Bangalore, Mumbai and Kolkata. The audience for the first ever live webcast through multi-city linkages included participants from leading Indian business houses, cultural elite, scholars, scientist and analysts from across the sectors.

An hour long discussion on the webcast was open for topics from business to politics to general subjects. Eminent guests from all centers took an active role in putting their queries. The topics of business discussion included Indo Russian Trade Ties, Prospects in space technology, Security of Nuclear plants and tie ups for banking business. Discussion on political topic included the issue of terrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan with way forward to tackle the same. The topics for general discussion included Visa Regulation Norms, Collaboration on Education exchange programs, thoughts on Mahatma Gandhi.

All queries were attended by the Honble Prime Minster and favoured strengthening of Indo Russian relationship in all sectors. Be it political or business, there was a keen interest from the Prime Minster and the participants advocating the immediate need of increased cooperation between the two nations.

Mr. Vsevolod Rozanov, CEO, Sistema Shyam Teleservices Ltd (SSTL) which operates under MTS brand in India, said, We at MTS take pride in putting the best of technologies making it a grand success event with all efforts showcasing best of our capabilities and technical knowhow in the Telecom and IT sphere.

The first of its kind webcast was managed and supported by MTS and was a live on MTS website. All technical support needed for the purpose was coordinated employed by MTS. The three centers across Kolkata, Mumbai and Bangalore were connected to Delhi through a communications link facilitating internet live interaction with the visiting Prime Minister.

Notes to Editor

About Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited

Sistema Shyam TeleServices (SSTL) is a joint venture between Sistema {LSE: SSA} of Russia and the Shyam Group of India. Sistema is the majority share holder in this joint venture with a 74% equity stake, along with the Shyam Group holding a 23.5% stake and the remaining 2.5% being publically held. SSTL has spectrum to provide mobile telephony services in all the 22 circles across the country.

MTS is a globally acclaimed telecom brand, the 8th largest telecom brand in the world. MTS has recently been ranked by Millward Brown as 71st out of the top 100 brands in the world. MTS in India is present in telecom circles of Rajasthan, Bihar/Jharkhand, Kolkata, West Bengal, Sikkim, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Mumbai, Maharashtra, Goa, Haryana , Delhi and NCR.