Telecom operators write to TRAI over lack of mobile network at NMIA
To enable mobile connectivity, NMIA had installed neutral telecommunications infrastructure known as In-Building Solutions designed to be plugged into by different telecom service providers (TSPs).
With neither NMIA nor the telecom operators willing to compromise, the network blackout has continued. (File photo) With the network blackout at the newly opened Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) continuing into the first month of operations, the Cellular Operators’ Association of India (COAI) on Tuesday wrote to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), seeking intervention to resolve the impasse.
To enable mobile connectivity, NMIA had installed neutral telecommunications infrastructure known as In-Building Solutions designed to be plugged into by different telecom service providers (TSPs). However, when it came to operationalising the infrastructure, negotiations between NMIA and the TSPs hit a roadblock.
“NMIA is seeking Rs 92 lakh per month per [telecom] operator, aggregating to nearly Rs 44.16 crore per annum for four mobile operators,” COAI wrote in its letter.
Explaining that these charges are far higher than the cost of deploying individual infrastructure, it added, “These charges are grossly disproportionate, bear no rational nexus to the underlying cost of related infrastructure, and significantly exceeds the capital and operating expenditure ordinarily required for deployment of an independent IBS network.”
When TSPs sought permission from NMIA to install their own infrastructure, the request was denied. According to the operators, this is inconsistent with the RoW Rules introduced under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. “Such charges are also prima facie inconsistent with the RoW Rules, which permit recovery only of reasonable operational expenses and restoration costs,” the letter added.
With neither NMIA nor the telecom operators willing to compromise, the network blackout has continued.
Opened for commercial operations on December 25, 2025, the lack of mobile connectivity at NMIA has emerged as a major grievance for passengers. Travellers are currently forced to rely on the airport’s free Wi-Fi, which has also faced operational issues.
In its letter, COAI made multiple requests to TRAI. The first urged the regulator to “examine the conduct of NMIAL/IBS-Operator (public entity) in denying RoW permissions and creating an exclusive, monopolistic in-building telecom arrangement at a public airport, resulting in a bottleneck situation leading to market failure.” This concern, the association noted, stems from ambiguity in the RoW rules under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, which both sides are using to justify their positions.
Seeking a middle ground, COAI’s second request called for a “cost-based pricing framework and appropriate price ceilings for in-building telecom infrastructure,” particularly in cases where a single entity exercises monopoly control over public or captive infrastructure.
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