Overview
- COAI, representing Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, has asked the DoT to enforce RoW permissions after alleging the airport operator declined approvals for telcos to deploy their own 4G/5G and IBS infrastructure.
- The industry body says NMIAL is directing operators to use an airport‑installed network at about ₹92 lakh per month per operator, which it argues exceeds what RoW rules allow and would create a monopolistic arrangement.
- NMIAL denies withholding RoW, says it installed a neutral‑host in‑building solution after discussions with telcos, and notes BSNL is in advanced testing while free high‑speed Wi‑Fi is offered pending agreements.
- The airport operator invites one‑on‑one negotiations on rates, rejects what it calls cartelisation, and cites security and operational needs in sensitive areas as reasons for an airport‑managed network.
- Passengers have reported weak or no cellular service since the airport began operations on December 25, and no regulatory decision on the dispute has been announced.