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Airport's Telecom Fees Spark Regulator Probe
21 Jan
Summary
- Regulator Trai is investigating telecom pricing at Navi Mumbai Airport.
- Industry body COAI cited pricing and right-of-way issues.
- Airport claims BSNL testing IBS, accuses TSPs of cartelization.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is currently examining a significant dispute concerning the deployment costs for telecom networks at the Navi Mumbai International Airport.
The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has formally approached Trai, highlighting concerns over both the pricing of infrastructure access and issues related to right-of-way. Trai has requested further details from COAI regarding past agreements to thoroughly investigate the matter.
Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL) has countered these allegations, stating that negotiations for in-building solutions have occurred with individual telecom service providers. NMIAL also noted that government-owned BSNL is in the advanced stages of testing its in-building solutions at the airport and has accused the telecom operators of attempting to form a cartel.
COAI's intervention also extends to the telecom department, with allegations that NMIAL has declined necessary permissions for deploying critical infrastructure like In-Building Solutions (IBS), contrary to established telecommunications laws and rules.
