MTS unveils 9.8-Mbps CDMA broadband service

For busy consumers fast internet connectivity continues to be elusive, as download speeds are often frustratingly slow. But a mid-size telecommunication service provider now offers a solution. Sistema Shyam TeleServices Ltd (SSTL), a joint venture between Sistema of Russia and India's Shyam group, which operates services under the MTS brand, says it has launched faster broadband service, offering internet speeds of up to 9.8 megabytes per second (Mbps). Rival telecom service providers, including Reliance Communications and Tata Communications (which also offer broadband on their CDMA platforms) offer speeds of up to 3.1 Mbps. "We have introduced the world's first CDMA EV-DO Rev.B Phase II network to India," said Vsevolod Rozanov, president and CEO, MTS India. "This will redefine the way customers experience mobile broadband as we roll out MBlaze Ultra across India." (See: Sistema Shyam introduces wireless telecommunications standard CDMA EV-DO Rev.B in India) Initially, the fast broadband service would be available in Jaipur, but would gradually be rolled out in all the metros and 25 cities in the country. According to Rozanov, the new technology enhances the mobile tower capacity, spectrum efficiency and peak rate, achieving speeds as high as 4.9 Mbps in single frequency carrier and 9.8 Mbps in two frequency carrier bundle, enhancing the mobile broadband experience for users.