Telcos Seek DoT Intervention Over Navi Mumbai Airport Connectivity Issues

Mumbai: India’s leading telecom operators have sought urgent intervention from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), alleging that Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL) has denied Right of Way (RoW) permissions to telcos and imposed an exclusive in-building telecom arrangement. This move is said to violate the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and RoW Rules, 2024.

Earlier this year, telcos had made a similar allegation against the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), which had selected ACES India for offering connectivity within metro stations. The MMRCL had inked a 12-year contract with ACES India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ACES Saudi Arabia, to provide connectivity to 625 million passengers annually.

In May, similar letters from telcos were sent to the airport authorities of Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati, Navi Mumbai, and Mumbai, requesting the setup of in-building solutions (IBS) for telecom connectivity without involving a neutral third party.

Most recently, in a letter dated December 30, 2025, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea, stated that NMIAL, as a public entity under the telecom law, is legally obligated to grant RoW permissions in a non-discriminatory and time-bound manner for the deployment of telecom infrastructure, including IBS within the airport premises.

However, NMIAL has refused to grant such permissions and instead directed telecom service providers (TSPs) to mandatorily use a network deployed by the airport operator itself, charging a fee of Rs 92 lakh per month per operator, aggregating to nearly ₹44.16 crore annually for four operators.

These charges are grossly disproportionate and significantly exceed the total capital expenditure ordinarily required for the deployment of an independent IBS network. Further, such charges appear to include components far beyond what is permissible under the RoW Rules, which limit charges strictly to administrative expenses and restoration costs, COAI said in its letter.

COAI further alleged that NMIAL, which holds a Category-B Virtual Network Operator (VNO) licence, has wrongly conferred upon itself exclusive RoW rights under the guise of being a ‘neutral host’. Such exclusivity is not permitted under the telecom regulatory framework, adding that such an arrangement undermines consumer choice and competition.

COAI has urged the DoT to direct NMIAL to grant RoW permissions for independent 4G and 5G network deployment and to examine the legality of NMIAL’s actions as a VNO licensee.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) plays a crucial role in regulating and overseeing the telecommunications sector in India. It ensures that all telecom operators adhere to the laws and regulations set forth by the government. The current dispute highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring fair and equitable access to telecom infrastructure, particularly in high-traffic areas like airports.