TRAI Examines Telcos’ Pricing Concerns at Navi Mumbai Airport

India’s Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has begun reviewing concerns related to pricing and right-of-way for network deployment at the Navi Mumbai International Airport, as per PTI reports. The review follows a representation made by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) to the regulator. 

TRAI chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti said the authority has sought additional information from COAI, including details of agreements signed by telecom companies for network deployment at other locations. These details will be reviewed before any further steps are taken. 

Pricing Among Four Issues Flagged 

Lahoti said COAI raised four issues in its letter to TRAI. Three relate to right-of-way (RoW) matters, while one concerns pricing for network deployment. RoW refers to permissions required to install and operate telecom infrastructure on public or private premises. 

The regulator has clarified that it does not need a separate reference from the government to take up the matter. TRAI can proceed on its own based on the complaint received from the industry body and the information sought. 

Operators Seek Approvals for Airport Networks 

COAI has also written to the Department of Telecommunications stating that its member companies, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio Infocomm and Vodafone Idea had approached Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIAL) for approvals. 

The approvals were sought to deploy In-Building Solutions (IBS) infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted 4G and 5G coverage inside the airport terminal. COAI has alleged that the airport operator declined to grant the required permissions, citing provisions under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and the RoW Rules, 2024. 

Airport Operator Denies Allegations 

NMIAL, which is backed by the Adani Group, has denied the allegations. The company said the IBS infrastructure was planned after discussions with individual telecom service providers and that no operator was denied right-of-way access. 

NMIAL added that state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is already in an advanced stage of testing its IBS network at the airport. It also said that charges offered to telecom operators are in line with prevailing industry rates and discussions are continuing. 

Read More: Telcos Seek TRAI Intervention Over Connectivity and Charges at Navi Mumbai Airport! 

Conclusion 

TRAI is reviewing the information sought from COAI, including past pricing practices. Any decision on the matter will follow after the regulator completes its assessment of the submissions received. 

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