Seems like Sistema-Shyam Teleservices (SSTL) will soon be making a foray into the National Long Distance segment. The company has already applied for licence in this segment and has got the necessary approvals from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board. SSTL is a joint venture between Russia’s Sistema and Shyam Group of India.

SSTL had applied for FIPB approval in December last year, since the nod is a pre-requisite to get a NLD license from Department of Telecom and the clearance has just come in now. With the help of the NLD licence SSTL will be able to become a full-fledged communication services provider. And now it will also be in a position to offer competitive STD rates to its customer base.