The Delhi High Court has directed telecom major Vodafone to restore services of international SIM card provider Matrix Cellular’s cell phone through which it provided services to 65,000 post-paid subscribers of Vodafone.
The interim relief to Matrix was given by Justice S. Muralidhar who ordered ensuring that a mutual agreement between Matrix Cellular and Vodafone remained in force for the next two months.
“Vodafone will forthwith restore services to mobile number 9811188888, which is in the name of Matrix, and make the same operational as it was on Oct 13,” the court said in its recent order.
Matrix Cellular offers telecom solutions to Indians visiting abroad, offers international SIM cards, international 3G data cards, student mobile services and wireless communication services.
It approached the court alleging that Vodafone Oct 14 terminated the agreement, entered between the two firms July 10, 2003, by serving a notice.
“The notice we received states that the agreement would stand terminated two months thereafter, which is illegal,” said Matrix Cellular in its plea.
The court said “the termination notice would be operative after” two months.
“Soon after the receipt of the said letter (termination notice) dated Oct 14, 2011, Matrix found that service calls being made to mobile number 9811188888, belonging to Matrix, by the consolidated post-paid subscribers were getting diverted to and being answered by Vodafone,” said the petition.
The court in its order gave a clarification that the number of hunting lines in relation to Matrix’s mobile number 9811188888 would be limited to 20.
“The representatives of Vodafone can remain present in the office of Matrix to monitor the calls on 9811188888,” said Justice Muralidhar.
Matrix Cellular gave an undertaking that it would abide by law and the terms of the agreement including access to the data base of Vodafone only in respect of 65,000 consolidated post-paid subscribers.
“Vodafone and Matrix will, within a week from Oct 20, address a joint communication to each of the 65,000 consolidated post-paid subscribers apprising them of the letter dated Oct 14, 2011 and the fact that the agreement dated July 10, 2003 between them will stand terminated on the expiry of two months from Oct 14,” the court said.
