January 16, 2026: Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL) has denied allegations made by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) regarding denial of network access and high charges for telecom infrastructure at the airport, stating that it is adhering to established global airport practices and has not restricted Right of Way (RoW) permissions for any telecom operator.
Addressing claims that telecom connectivity is unavailable at the airport, NMIAL said services are already operational. “It is factually incorrect to state that telecom connectivity is unavailable at NMIAL. BSNL, a leading government-owned telecom service provider (TSP), has already been onboarded and is providing fully functional connectivity at the airport,” an airport spokesperson said in a statement.
Responding to COAI’s representation to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), NMIAL said airports operate under specific security and operational constraints that require a different approach to telecom infrastructure. “Airports are critical national infrastructure with unique security and operational requirements. Globally, most airports adopt a single, neutral-host telecom infrastructure to ensure uniform coverage, safety, and operational efficiency,” the spokesperson said.
Explaining its infrastructure model, NMIAL said it had opted for a neutral-host In-Building Solution (IBS) based on operational experience across airports. “The decision to deploy a state-of-the-art In-Building Solution (IBS) at NMIAL as a neutral host is based on learnings across airports, where certain mission-critical zones—such as baggage handling areas, utility buildings, and Air Traffic Control (ATC)—often receive sub-optimal coverage when left to individual Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), which typically prioritise high passenger-density areas,” the spokesperson said.
According to NMIAL, uneven coverage in these zones can disrupt airport operations and inconvenience passengers. “The neutral-host model ensures seamless, uniform, and secure connectivity across all airport zones,” the spokesperson added.
The airport operator also rejected claims related to pricing. “NMIAL also categorically denies the assertion that it has demanded annual charges of Rs 44.16 crore,” the spokesperson said, adding that pricing for IBS services is aligned with prevailing practices at other public-private partnership airports. NMIAL said it has remained in regular communication with telecom operators and offered services on terms comparable with industry standards.
