Telecom Lead India: Sistema Shyam TeleServices Ltd (SSTL) that operates under MTS brand in India has been selected as the telecom partner for India Unite to End Polio Now (IUEPN) campaign supported by UNICEF, for Polio Eradication Awareness campaign across Delhi using telecom technology to spread the message.
Under the contract, MTS will be sending out specially designed SMSs to its subscribers across the five states informing them about the upcoming Polio Rounds on 20th January 2013. The SMS would read, “January 20 Ko Apne Bachche Ka Jeevan Polio Se Surakshit Banaaye. Har Baar Polio Ki Khuraq Pilaaye.”
A similar campaign is also being organized across 4 more states – Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Maharashtra, where MTS will send out SMSs to its customers reminding them to get their children protected against Polio.
“We at MTS believe in growing our business in a socially responsible manner,” said Shankar Bali, chief operating officer, Delhi & Haryana, MTS India. “Our partnership with IUEPN to create awareness for polio eradication is a part of the same endeavor. As communications partner for the program, our plan is to use the power of mobile technology to reach out to maximum number of people and notify them about getting their child secure against Polio.”
MTS India has been associated with the IUEPN program since November 2010. Over the last years, the Company has actively participated in awareness drives in several states including West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana and Maharashtra, reminding people about the need to get their children vaccinated against Polio.
The IUEPN campaign leverages private sector resources to enhance polio knowledge and vaccination throughout India, specifically targeting nomad and mobile populations. IUEPN achieves this by expanding the polio communication reach to high-risk groups and reinvigorating the polio messaging campaign to the masses with innovative communication mediums such as interactive booths, SMS & voice messaging, local folk theatre along with other locally driven messaging options, posters and wall paintings.
All such communication mediums are being implemented at public places including railway stations, bus stops, banks, schools, and other high visibility locations.
Also read: MTS India can continue services across India and Uninor in Mumbai till February 4
Uninor is planning to participate in the 2G auctions in March 2013 to buy spectrum in Mumbai telecom circle. Spectrum strategies of MTS India are not known at present. Sistema Shyam has maintained that it has been unfairly penalized in the February ruling of the Supreme Court and has filed a Curative Petition seeking to restore its licenses.
