DoT Directs Adani's Navi Mumbai Airport to Allow Telco Network Access

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has intervened in a growing dispute at the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), instructing its operator, the Adani Group, to allow telecom service providers (TSPs) to deploy their mobile network infrastructure within the airport premises. This significant directive, issued in a letter dated February 16, 2026, stems from a flurry of complaints from passengers experiencing persistent issues with mobile network connectivity at the newly operational airport. The core of the conflict lies in the Adani Group's reported refusal to grant 'Right of Way' (RoW) permissions to major telecom companies like Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea. Instead, the airport operator has allegedly mandated the use of its own exclusive in-building telecom network solution (IBS) at what the telcos describe as "exorbitantly high" and "commercially untenable" charges. According to the Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI), which represents these TSPs, NMIA has sought approximately ₹92 lakh per month per operator, amounting to a staggering ₹44.16 crore annually for four operators. This pricing is significantly higher than what telcos typically pay at other major airports, such as Delhi, where charges are reportedly around ₹10-12 lakh per month. In its intervention, the DoT has clarified that NMIA qualifies as a 'public entity' under the recently enacted Telecommunications Act, 2023, and the Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024. This classification legally obligates the airport to process RoW applications from telecom operators in a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory manner, thereby facilitating the establishment of necessary telecom infrastructure. The DoT has explicitly requested Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. to ensure compliance with these statutory provisions. The directive aims to resolve the ongoing mobile network crisis and ensure seamless connectivity for passengers, which has been a point of widespread discontent. The Adani Group, through NMIA, has countered these allegations, asserting that RoW permissions have never been denied to any telecom service provider. NMIA claims to have deployed its own IBS as a neutral-host mobile network solution after multiple discussions with individual TSPs, with government-owned BSNL already in advanced testing phases for its use. The airport management maintains that it welcomes individual TSPs to discuss and mutually agree on rates, and has even offered reduced charges closer to those at Mumbai International Airport (MIAL), which are around ₹40 lakh per month. However, these proposals were reportedly not accepted by the telecom operators, who argued that the pricing remained unreasonable given the airport's current footfall. The dispute underscores a broader challenge faced by the telecom sector in India, particularly regarding infrastructure deployment in critical public spaces. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is also actively examining the pricing concerns raised by the telecom companies at NMIA, indicating the seriousness with which regulatory bodies are treating the issue. This situation at Navi Mumbai International Airport is distinct from the broader 5G deployment restrictions near airports due to potential interference with aircraft radio altimeters, which the government is also working to resolve by upgrading older aircraft systems. The Navi Mumbai International Airport commenced commercial flight operations on December 25, 2025, with plans to handle 20 million passengers annually in its first phase and eventually up to 90 million. International operations are anticipated to begin by June 2026, after securing night flying clearances. The lack of consistent mobile connectivity at such a significant and rapidly developing infrastructure project for a major metropolitan area like Mumbai has a direct impact on passenger experience and operational efficiency, making the DoT's intervention crucial for resolution. The outcome of this dispute is expected to set a precedent for future telecom infrastructure deployment at other large public facilities in India.

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