Sistema Shyam Teleservices (SSTL), which offers mobile services under the 'MTS' brand, today launched three smartphones in the Indian market, with prices starting at Rs 4,999.
"MTS smartphones are among the most competitive and fully loaded devices, which will set a benchmark in the industry with 3G capabilities," SSTL Chief Executive Officer Vsevolod Rozanov told reporters here.
The three new devices, Buzz, Active and Ivory, will come bundled with various offers from the telecom operator, he added.
Asked if SSTL would offer BlackBerry services, Rozanov said, "We are technically ready, but waiting for final government clarification on compliance."
Earlier, the government had set a August 31 deadline for RIM to provide access to its messenger and enterprise solutions, which route encrypted data through company-owned servers, making it virtually impossible for any agency to decipher them.
The government is concerned that the encrypted data travelling through BlackBerry devices could help terrorists and other anti-national elements communicate in secrecy. It has asked the maker, Research In Motion (RIM), to come up with a solution to allow the government to monitor the services.
The smartphones markets is growing at a tremendous pace and handset makers are introducing new models to tap this segment.
The Apple iPhone and Research in Motion's BlackBerry phones have led the growth in demand for smartphones in the country.
Domestic handset makers are also cashing in on this segment with the launch of such devices at lower costs.
Rozanov said SSTL will source these handsets from ZTE, Micromax and Fly.
Talking about the smartphone segment, he said, "The category has huge growth potential... We will launch 10 more smartphones this calender year."
SSTL has also partnered US-based chip maker Qualcomm for organising a roadshow for its handsets and data services.
According to Informa Telecoms & Media forecasts, the Indian smartphone market is expected to reach about 12 million by the end of 2010 and cross 40 million handsets by 2015-end.