DoT may seek Aviation Min's help in shifting MTNL services at T3

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) plans to approach the Ministry of Civil Aviation to allow shifting the operations of state-run Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) at the new Terminal 3 (T3) in the Delhi airport, developed by a consortium led by the GMR group, on reasonable commercial terms and conditions.

Acting on a complaint by MTNL that GMR was attempting to position itself as the telecom operator at T3, though it did not have any licence, DoT would ask the ministry to look into the irregularities by the infrastructure major and take corrective measures.

In an internal note last month, DoT said MTNL had requested GMR to provide space at T3 for installation of a telephone exchange but GMR had outlined certain conditions, which would have huge financial implications on MTNL.

Earlier, the Airports Authority of India, the previous developer of the airport, had given MTNL space for offering and maintaining telecom services from Terminal 2 (T2) for the entire complex. But after T3 was built by GMR-led Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), all agencies or airlines in T2 are expected to shift to the state-of the-art new terminal.

“GMR is disallowing MTNL to provide telecom services directly to its existing and new customers. It intends to use MTNL’s infrastructure as carrier/terminating operator by paying meagre sums for terminating local and STD calls,” the DoT note added.

When contacted, GMR in an email reply said: “For providing fixed line telephone services in T3, DIAL had awarded the contract to MTNL based on mutually agreed charges. There is no delay in providing fixed line telephone services at T3 from MTNL or DIAL’s side. DIAL is fully cooperating with MTNL and is working together in providing connections, and has already provided the same in immigration and customs offices at T3.”

GMR has also asked Rs 50 lakh as one-time non-refundable entry fee plus security money and bank guarantees and recurring monthly rentals/maintenance charges from MTNL for its operations in the new terminal.

In a letter to DoT a few months ago, MTNL said the demand for a one-time fee and recurring monthly rentals from GMR might render MTNL’s operations in the complex unviable.