The Mobile Operators Affiliation of India (COAI) has accused Mumbai Metro of making a monopoly by appointing a third-party vendor to supply cell community connectivity inside metro premises, sidelining telecom service suppliers (TSPs) and denying them the Proper of Method (RoW).
Additionally Learn: COAI Slams MMRC’s Telecom Infrastructure Mannequin for Metro Line 3, Citing Telecom Act Violations
COAI Raises Monopoly Issues
“Telecom Service Suppliers are all the time prepared to supply connectivity by way of IBS (In-Constructing Options). Nonetheless, within the immediate case, Mumbai Metro has created a monopoly on offering connectivity solely by way of a third-party vendor, and is now attempting to extract monopolistic and extortionate rents for offering the cell community,” mentioned S P Kochhar, Director Normal of COAI.
The affiliation, which represents main telecom gamers together with Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Concept, issued a press release on Sunday, Could 18, to make clear its members’ place on cell community connectivity within the Mumbai Metro, in response to what it described as baseless allegations towards the business in some stories.
Violation of Proper of Method (RoW) and Telecom Act
In line with COAI, this transfer contradicts the brand new Telecommunication Act and RoW guidelines, which prohibit public authorities from denying RoW to telecom operators in public areas. The affiliation highlighted that TSPs had proposed deploying a standard community infrastructure (In-Constructing Options) to make sure seamless connectivity and minimise disruptions, a follow already in place at distinguished places such because the PWD tunnel in Pragati Maidan and Central Vista, the place TSPs are laying infrastructure with out paying any price to any get together, together with third events.
“As per the brand new Telecommunication Act and RoW Guidelines therein, a public authority can’t deny offering Proper of Approach to TSPs in a public place – which is strictly what’s being performed by the Mumbai Metro,” COAI mentioned.
“Mumbai Metro is quoting priority for appointing a third-party vendor and denying RoW to TSPs. It could be famous that improper priority doesn’t make a authentic one and the business is individually addressing the problem of such monopolies being created, with a view to cease such extortionate practices,” Kochhar added.
Additionally Learn: Airtel, Jio, Vi Decline Unviable IBS Charges for Mumbai Metro, Suggest Interim Connectivity Answer
Trial Companies Offered Freed from Price
COAI famous that TSPs are all the time prepared to incur capital expenditure (Capex) to arrange community contained in the Metro, regardless of any further incremental income. Nonetheless, paying extortionate charges to the Mumbai Metro for such a community shouldn’t be viable.
“It ought to be famous that providers have been being provided on a trial foundation by all TSPs, pending finalisation of a proper settlement,” COAI mentioned.
Trade’s Supply Ignored by Mumbai Metro
The affiliation additional added that TSPs had provided to supply cell connectivity freed from price through the trial part and till business agreements may very well be finalised. This cheap and consumer-first proposal, communicated by way of a joint letter dated April 7, 2025, was reportedly ignored by Mumbai Metro.
COAI reiterated its dedication to making sure uninterrupted cell connectivity for commuters and expressed issues over Mumbai Metro’s strategy, which it mentioned undermines competitors and client pursuits.
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