Uninor, SSTL allege unethical customer poaching by rivals

A day after the Supreme Court ordered cancellation of 122 2G licences, affected telecom service providers today alleged that their customers are being lured by rivals through "unethical tactics".

"We are dismayed by the unethical tactics that some operators are indulging in. Uninor customers, retailers and even vendors are receiving SMSes spreading rumours of a discontinuation of services and advise on moving to other networks," Uninor spokesperson said in a statement.

Asserting that Uninor operations are continuing, he termed the approach of rivals as unprincipled.

"Not only is this untrue -- since the Uninor operations are most definitely continuing -- but also unprincipled. We have raised this matter with the COAI (Cellular Operators Association of India)," he said.

He added that Uninor has mobilised its entire organisation to demolish these rumours by engaging with retailers and customers.

"Over 1000 employees and the entire top management are already in the market doing this," he said.

Another affected company Sistema Shyam also said some mobile operators are trying to poach its customers.

"It has been brought to our attention by our customers in some circles that they are being sent SMSes by some of the competing mobile operators and their trade partners," SSTL spokesperson said.

He said SSTL has informed the leadership of operators about such an unethical activity.

"Should this activity continue, we plan to take this issue up with the relevant authorities," he added.

The Supreme Court yesterday cancelled 122 2G licences granted during the tenure of former telecom minister A Raja declaring it as "illegal".

On Thursday, Trai Chairman JS Sarma had said that the regulator will ask affected operators to inform their existing subscriber and will also come up with advertisement to create awareness to change their operators using mobile number portability.

Leading telecom player Vodafone today came up advertisement on MNP with guidance to customers to change their network.