DoT Steps in to Resolve Mobile Network Crisis at Navi Mumbai Airport

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has stepped in to address the growing mobile network crisis at Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). The department has asked the airport operator, Adani Group, to allow telecom companies to deploy mobile infrastructure inside the airport as per the legal framework.

The move comes after passengers repeatedly complained about the lack of mobile network from private telecom operators at the airport.

NMIA Treated as A ‘Public Entity’ Under Telecom Act

In a letter dated 16 February, the DoT informed Adani Airport Holdings Ltd that NMIA qualifies as a public entity under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. This means the airport must allow telecom service providers to install network infrastructure within its premises.

The department also directed the airport operator to process Right of Way (RoW) applications in a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory manner to ensure mobile connectivity is available for passengers.

Telecom Operators Flag High Charges for Network Access

Telecom operators have raised concerns about the costs quoted by NMIA for deploying infrastructure. According to the operators, the airport sought around ₹92 lakh per month per operator, which would add up to nearly ₹44.16 crore annually for four operators.

The airport reportedly offered reduced charges closer to those at Mumbai International Airport, which are around ₹40 lakh per month, but telecom operators did not accept the proposal. They argued that the pricing remained unreasonable considering the airport’s footfall.

For comparison, telecom operators reportedly pay around ₹10–12 lakh per month at major airports such as Delhi.

TRAI Examining Pricing Concerns

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is currently examining the pricing concerns raised by telecom companies at NMIA. Operators have also alleged that they were not granted RoW permissions for setting up their own telecom infrastructure.

However, NMIA has stated that RoW permissions have never been denied to any telecom service provider.

Neutral-Host Network Model at the Centre of the Dispute

NMIA has deployed its own in-building telecom network as a neutral-host solution. Under this model, telecom operators can provide mobile coverage using the airport’s indoor network instead of installing separate equipment.

Telecom companies, however, have argued that the charges for using this system are too high.

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Conclusion

The DoT’s intervention could help resolve the ongoing mobile connectivity issues at Navi Mumbai International Airport. With the airport now being treated as a public entity under the Telecom Act, telecom operators may get fairer access to deploy infrastructure. The final outcome will depend on how RoW permissions and charges are handled going forward.

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