Government orders Navi Mumbai Airport to grant Right of Way to telecom service providers

This move is expected to improve telecom connectivity at the airport. FILE PIC

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications on Wednesday, has directed Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL) to grant Right of Way (RoW) permissions to licensed telecom service providers (TSPs) operating in India.

The directive comes following a representation from the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) highlighting difficulties faced by TSPs in establishing telecom infrastructure at the airport.

According to COAI, telecom operators were reportedly required to use an exclusive in-building network at reportedly high charges, instead of being granted standard RoW permissions.

In its letter to Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), which operates the airport, the DoT clarified that under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, Navi Mumbai International Airport qualifies as a "public entity."

The Act, along with the Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024, mandates fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory processing of RoW applications, including timely approvals.

The DoT has asked the airport authorities to ensure compliance with the statutory framework and facilitate the establishment, operation, and maintenance of telecom networks on its premises.

This move is expected to improve telecom connectivity at the airport and remove barriers for service providers, ensuring better services for passengers and operators alike.