Why do so many applications try to get the SIM and network operator name? I understand what Android permissions mean and I have a specific question about two telephony permissions.

I've been using XPrivacy for a while and noticed that many apps that ostensibly have nothing to do with the low-level telephony features, nevertheless make repeated calls to getSimOperatorName() and getNetworkOperatorName(). MyFitnessPal Calorie Counter is one such app.

What need would ordinary apps have to call these methods?

For example, why would MyFitnessPal care I'm using AT&amp;T or Verizon, when the app could be running just fine on a Wi-Fi only device?
I have read that Android applications created through a standard method are set by the creating software to ask for certain permissions by default, even if the developer did not pick them. The permissions you mention may be among those. So the developer might not be interested in them at all.