Navi Mumbai Airport to Allow Telecom Networks Following Government Intervention
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed the Adani Group-run Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIAL) to allow telecom service providers to deploy their networks within the airport premises, in accordance with the Telecommunications Act, 2023. This move aims to resolve a months-long dispute and bring mobile connectivity to passengers, who have largely relied on Wi-Fi since the airport’s launch in December 2025.
Dispute Over Network Access
The intervention from the DoT comes after major telecom operators – Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea – escalated concerns about difficulties in establishing networks at the airport. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), representing these operators, alleged that NMIAL was creating a monopolistic telecom arrangement by mandating the leverage of its own in-building network at commercially unviable charges. Initially, the airport operator sought payments of ₹92 lakh per month per operator, later reduced to ₹36 lakh per operator, for deploying network infrastructure and providing mobile connectivity .
DoT Clarifies Airport’s Status
In a letter dated February 16, 2026, to Arun Bansal, CEO of Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), the DoT clarified that NMIAL qualifies as a “public entity” under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 . This designation mandates that the airport comply with the Right of Way (RoW) rules, ensuring “non-discriminatory, fair and transparent processing” of applications from licensed telecom service providers .
Statutory Framework for Telecom Infrastructure
The DoT emphasized that the Telecommunications Act, 2023, read with the Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024, provides a statutory framework for granting permissions for the establishment, operation, and maintenance of telecommunications networks . The department requested AAHL to ensure compliance with these provisions and facilitate the establishment of telecom infrastructure.
Industry Response and Potential Implications
Industry executives suggest the DoT has taken a measured approach, placing the airport operator on notice regarding its statutory obligations while leaving room for voluntary compliance . The application of this definition to other airports and metro systems, where similar disputes are emerging, is also anticipated. Sources indicate that Airtel has already begun trial runs of its network at the airport, alongside BSNL .
As of February 18, 2026, NMIAL and AAHL have not publicly responded to the DoT’s directive.