Allow telcos to offer connectivity: DoT to Noida International Airport

DoT has asked Noida International Airport to allow telcos to set up networks under the Telecommunications Act 2023, marking its second such intervention after Navi Mumbai airport

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked Noida International Airport to allow licensed telecom service providers to set up their networks in accordance with the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

 

The direction was issued to Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG that operates the airport in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh. The letter, dated February 19, was sent a few days after a similar communication to Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited.

 

This is aimed at ensuring that customers do not face mobile connectivity issues once commercial flights begin in the coming months. This will also prevent a repeat of the situation at Navi Mumbai International Airport, where hundreds of flyers had to rely solely on Wi-Fi within the terminal when operations began in December last year due to the absence of mobile network coverage.

 

In its letter, the DoT directed YIAPL to grant right of way (RoW) permissions within the airport premises to licensed telecom operators and sought compliance with the RoW rules under the Act, explicitly stating that the airport qualifies as a public entity.

 

“It is clarified that, in terms of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, Noida International Airport qualifies as a ‘public entity’ for the purposes of the said Act and the rules framed thereunder. Accordingly, the obligations and responsibilities prescribed for public entities under the Act are applicable,” the letter noted. A copy of the communication was seen by Business Standard.

 

The DoT added that the Telecommunications Act, 2023, read with the Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024, provides a statutory framework for granting permissions to facility providers, including telecom service providers, for the establishment, operation and maintenance of telecom networks. “The provisions mandate non-discriminatory, fair and transparent processing of RoW applications within the prescribed timelines and conditions,” the department said.

 

“You are requested to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and the Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024 while processing applications for grant of RoW permissions within your premises, and to take necessary action to facilitate the establishment of telecom infrastructure in accordance with the statutory framework,” the letter stated.

 

YIAPL had not responded to queries from Business Standard until the time of going to press.

 

This is the second such intervention by the DoT amid an ongoing dispute involving Adani Airport Holdings Limited, which operates the Navi Mumbai airport. The operator had asked carriers Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea to pay charges to run services inside the airport, which the telecom players termed as “unreasonably high”.

 

Telecom companies argued that the charges were grossly disproportionate to the underlying costs and significantly exceeded the capital and operating expenditure typically required to deploy an independent in-building network solution.

 

Sources said the two sides were back on the negotiating table following the DoT’s February 16 letter, with efforts under way to resolve the issue. They added that telecom players were also negotiating with the Noida airport operator along similar lines.

 

Meanwhile, industry body Cellular Operators Association of India has sought the intervention of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to develop a cost-based pricing framework, including ceilings for in-building telecom infrastructure at public or captive premises, such as metro stations and airports. 

Telecom access

 

• RoW permissions must follow fair, transparent statutory framework
• Move aims to prevent connectivity issues at airport launch
• Dispute over high in-building charges continues with operators
• COAI seeks Trai cost-based pricing framework for infrastructure