Vodafone misrepresented facts in SIM renting case, alleges Matrix

New Delhi: International SIM card provider Matrix Cellular has alleged that telecom operator Vodafone has “misrepresented” facts in the SIM renting case of 2007 to the telecom department (DoT) and the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT).

In 2007, the DoT had alleged Vodafone, Airtel and Idea rented SIMs to Matrix Cellular in bulk, violating subscriber verification norms and causing loss to the exchequer by not showing the revenue gains from the deal in the adjusted gross revenue, based on which government levies various fees on telecom operators.

[caption id=“attachment_1225457” align=“alignright” width=“380”]  Vodafone. AFP[/caption]

“Matrix believes that Vodafone has misrepresented facts to the DoT and TDSAT. The business that Matrix engaged in was at all times legal and with the express, written consent of Vodafone,” Matrix told PTI in response to a particular query.

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Vodafone declined to comment on the matter. The DoT has plans to send fresh show cause notices to Vodafone, Airtel and Idea which have sold bulk connections to third parties who in turn were selling those SIMs to retail subscribers.

The DoT has found Vodafone and Matrix Cellular had entered into an agreement, but the telecom operators contested before tribunal TDSAT, “that it had no knowledge of the purported activities of ‘Matrix’ so far as giving on rental the SIM cards issued to it is concerned.”

Matrix claimed “all documentary evidence in this regard is available with Matrix.”

PTI