Archive · 14 Jan 2026
COAI Seeks TRAI Intervention in Airport Network Dispute
There is a big fight between phone companies (telcos) and the people who own airports and metro systems.
The phone companies want to set up their own networks inside these places, but the owners want to control the networks themselves.
This fight is causing problems for people using these places, like dropped calls and no internet.
The phone companies say the owners are charging too much money and not following the rules.
The owners say they should be in charge.
This is making it hard for people to use their phones in airports and metros.
The phone companies have asked the government to step in and set rules to make sure everyone follows the same fair prices and rules.
COAI has asked TRAI to cap costs for in-building telecom infrastructure in public spaces like airports and metros.
COAI alleges that Navi Mumbai International Airport is denying Right of Way permissions to telecom service providers and creating a monopolistic in-building telecom arrangement.
COAI argues that cost-based price ceilings can prevent rent-seeking behavior, delays in network roll-out, and consumer harm.
The dispute involves high charges imposed by third-party IBS providers, with telecom operators previously accepting these charges under threat of exclusion.
COAI has requested TRAI to examine NMIAL's conduct and consider it as a public entity under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
- Who
- Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL), Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea
- What
- Dispute over control and deployment of in-building mobile networks
- When
- Ongoing, with recent escalations
- Where
- Navi Mumbai Airport, Mumbai Metro Aqua Line, Delhi-NCR infrastructure
- Why
- Conflict over who should control and deploy telecom infrastructure, leading to network blackouts and poor connectivity
- Parties Involved
- Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL), Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea
- Dispute Focus
- Control and deployment of in-building mobile networks
- Key Locations
- Navi Mumbai Airport, Mumbai Metro Aqua Line, Delhi-NCR infrastructure
- Charges by Third-Party Vendors
- 92 lakh per month per operator (Navi Mumbai Airport)
- Legal Framework
- Telecommunications Act, 2023 and Right of Way Rules
- Impact on Users
- Poor or absent mobile connectivity, dropped calls, lack of mobile data
Sources
What’s behind mobile signal drops in airports & metros
Telcos allege ‘market failure’ at Navi Mumbai airport, ask Trai to cap infrastructure costs
COAI seeks TRAI intervention to provide network services at Navi Mumbai airport
Explained: Why telcos have taken Navi Mumbai airport connectivity issue to TRAI
Telcos approach TRAI to intervene on Navi Mumbai airport issue
Telcos seek Trai help in NMIAL network infra dispute
COAI seeks Trai’s intervention on alleged denial of RoW nod by Navi Mumbai Int’l Airport
