Responding to the allegations of misrepresentation of facts by international SIM card provider Matrix Cellular, Vodafone not only denied the accusations and said it would contest. Matrix Cellular earlier had blamed the telecom major misrepresented facts in SIM renting case of 2007 in which Department of Telecom (DoT) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) found various irregularities.
In response, Vodafone India’s spokesperson said, “The allegations made by Matrix are without merit and will be strongly contested, as appropriate.” In 2007, DoT had found involvement of Vodafone, Airtel and Idea in a case where the three had sold bulk connections to third parties who in turn were selling those sim cards to retail subscribers and in the process flouted certain rules. As per sources, DoT is also working on issuing fresh show cause notice to these companies.
Matrix in its official statement said, “Matrix believes that Vodafone has misrepresented facts to the DoT and Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT). The business that Matrix engaged in was at all times legal and with the express, written consent of Vodafone.”
DoT’s monitoring cell in July 2007 found that 10,145 bulk postpaid connections were working in name of the company, Matrix Cellular Services Pvt ltd (MCSPl). During the course of investigation, the DoT’s cell analysed that out of 10,145 bulk connection issued in name and address of MCSPl, only 836 mobile numbers were reported by Matrix to it and no information about 9,309 mobile connections were provided.