Sistema Shyam System TeleServices (SSTL), a JV formed between Russian company Sistema and Shyam Group, on Monday announced the expansion of its board with some new appointments.

The new appointments include, Ron Sommer as the Chairman of the Board of SSTL, Sergey Cheremin as the Deputy Chairman, Mikhail Shamolin as Director and Madhukar Saxena as the Independent Director.

Mr. Sommer comes with experiences in the role of CEO in both Sony Deutschland, and Deutsche Telekom AG and will help drive India’s operations.

Commenting on the new role, Ron Sommer said, “I am happy to be appointed as the Chairman of the Board of SSTL, and excited at the growth potential in its telecom business. I look forward to working more closely with SSTL’s highly accomplished management team.”

Meanwhile, Sergey Cheremin, who is also the Senior Vice President of Sistema, and head of the external relations functions division of the company, said, “I am glad to be associated with SSTL in my new role. The company is on an exciting growth trajectory in India, with existing operations in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Rajasthan and the recently launched Kolkata. We look forward to spearhead this growth to eleven circles by the year end, and make MTS a strong player in the mobile telephony segment.”

Mikhail Shamolin, the newly appointed Director Board of SST, and the President and CEO of Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (MTS), Moscow added, “I am thankful that my candidacy was regarded as trustworthy by the Board of Directors of SSTL. I''m sure that experience of MTS, the largest mobile phone operator in Russia and the CIS, my knowledge of business building and development at emerging markets, will help SSTL, a very prospect company, to occupy deserved positions at a prospect Indian market.”

The Independent Director on the Board of SSTL, Mr. Madhukar Saxena, has served key positions in public sector banks and regulatory bodies. A full time member of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) from 2004-2006, he was also the Chairman of the State Level Bankers Committee, for states of Delhi, West Bengal, Manipur and Tripura.

SSTL has grabbed the license to operate in 22 circles across India.