The ongoing mobile network blackout along Mumbai’s underground Metro Line 3 has intensified, with Reliance Jio approaching the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) to seek permission for installing neutral telecom infrastructure across the corridor.
In its communication, Jio has requested right-of-way access to deploy a shared telecom system that can be utilised by all service providers, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity for commuters. As an alternative, the company has also proposed acquiring the existing telecom infrastructure already installed within the underground network and adapting it for common use.
The issue has gained further traction after a joint follow-up letter sent on Monday, in which all three major telecom operators—Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea—expressed their support for the neutral infrastructure model. The companies argued that such a system would streamline operations and provide seamless network coverage across the underground stretch.
At the same time, the telecom firms have raised objections to MMRCL’s recent decision to float a fresh tender inviting companies to set up neutral telecom infrastructure, commonly referred to as in-building solutions (IBS). They contend that a collaborative approach using shared infrastructure would be more efficient and quicker to implement, especially given the complete lack of mobile connectivity currently affecting passengers on the route.
The absence of network coverage on Metro Line 3 has emerged as a major concern for daily commuters, particularly in emergency situations where communication is critical. With leading telecom players now aligned on a unified solution, the focus shifts to how the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited responds to the proposal and resolves the connectivity challenges on one of Mumbai’s most crucial infrastructure projects.
Source: The Indian Express
