Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea unite over Mumbai Metro connectivity issue

Commuters struggle inside Aqua line metro for connectivity. File pic

In a rare show of unity, India's top telecom operators - Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea - have jointly written to the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL), raising concerns over its latest tender for in-building solutions (IBS) on the city's first underground metro rail network, Aqua Line 3, offering to buy out the infrastructure to expedite the resumption of mobile connectivity.

The letter comes in the backdrop of MMRCL terminating its earlier IBS contract with Saudi Arabia-based Advanced Communications and Electronics Systems Company (ACES) and floating a fresh tender on March 20, 2026.

In a letter, a copy of which is with mid-day, they have flagged commuter inconvenience and the urgent need for seamless connectivity, the telcos said Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (RJIL) has already sought right-of-way (ROW) permissions to deploy IBS infrastructure across Metro stations and tunnels.

They added that all telecom service providers are aligned in supporting a single-network approach to ensure uninterrupted mobile services.

The operators stated they will not issue any "comfort letter" to IBS vendors under the new tender, alleging that MMRCL is attempting to impose "exorbitant" ROW and space charges. They argued that the reserve price quoted in the tender - around Rs 1,000 per sq ft for largely unusable station areas - is significantly higher than premium commercial rentals in Mumbai, which range between Rs 250-300 per sq ft in prime locations like Nariman Point.

The telcos warned that such pricing is not in line with the principle of "just compensation" and could delay telecom infrastructure rollout in an operational metro system. Instead, they have proposed that Right of Way (ROW) permission be granted to RJIL, allowing either fresh IBS deployment or utilisation of the network already created by ACES, enabling faster restoration of mobile services.

The operators have urged MMRCL to scrap the current tender in the interest of public convenience and ensure immediate steps to restore seamless connectivity for Mumbai Metro commuters.

When contacted, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) did not respond till the time of going to the press.