NEW DELHI: Ringing Bells, the company behind the world’s cheapest smartphone, said that ADCOM provided some prototypes for the sample Freedom- 251, which it handed to some special guests including media for initial impression about the way phone would look and behave in future. In a statement late Friday, the handset maker said that it has other partners as well for assembly of its phones. Earlier today, ADCOM said the devices shown by Ringing Bells at the launch of the Rs 251 smartphone were sold by it for Rs 3,600 each. It also threatened to take action against Ringing Bells if the fiasco over what was touted as the world’s cheapest smartphone hurts its brand name or leads to any other kind of losses for the company. Ringing Bells said that its sudden rise shouldn’t be misconstrued as a fly-by-night operation. The statement comes amid intense scrutiny of its business model, allegations of fraud. “Just as we have been taking due diligence to issues and matter brought forth to the management of Ringing Bells Pvt. Ltd.; we would continue to investigate and respond with due diligence… Battling mistrust and facing severe criticism, the company would never scuttle its idea,” the company said, commenting on a number of controversies surrounding its business model. The handset maker also clarified that it has not role to play in the current dispute regarding the nature of business conducted at the property it operates from. “We wish to make it clear that the current dispute regarding the nature of business conducted at the property is between NOIDA authority and our landlord. It is our humble request not to drag us in any controversy,”” it said. Ringing Bells also claimed that it has already instructed the payment gateway to refund the few online payments that came in on the first pre-booking on February 18. It said that the mode of payment now will be only Cash on Delivery. “The orders placed by the customers are not cancelled but the payment will be taken only on delivery. Ringing Bells hopes to begin deliveries of Freedom 251 by around end of April,” it added.