FM Jaitley annoyed by call drops, pulls up Vodafone CEO Vittorio Colao

Jaitley told Vodafone CEO that it was like being “transported back to the pre-mobile days of 1995”.

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: The chief of UK-based Vodafone had to face a lot of embarrassment during his meeting with senior government functionaries.

The Times of India said that Vodafone CEO Vittorio Colao was pulled up by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley over call drops issue during the meeting.

TOI reported that Finance minister told Vodafone CEO that it was like being “transported back to the pre-mobile days of 1995”.

The paper, quoting sources further said that Jaitley is learnt to have told Colao that when he sees an important number he doesn't pick up the call. He rather calls back from the landline phone.

Colao also had to face similar complains from Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who asked the him to address the call drop issue.

Meanwhile Vodafone said the issue can be resolved in six months through "collective efforts".

"My recommendation at my meeting that I had yesterday and today is that if we work together, this thing will go away in six months. It's not about money, it's not about spectrum, it's not about radiation," Vodafone Group CEO Vittorio Colao told reporters yesterday.