Navi Mumbai International Airport Private Ltd (NMIAL) has firmly rejected allegations from telecom operators regarding mobile connectivity problems at the new airport. The company issued a detailed statement late on Wednesday night to address these claims directly.
Airport Denies Connectivity Issues and Excessive Charges
NMIAL completely dismissed the telecom companies' assertion that mobile connectivity is unavailable at the facility. The airport operator also denied imposing unreasonable charges for telecom infrastructure installation and maintenance.
Global Standard Telecom Model Explained
The statement clarified that airports worldwide implement a neutral-host telecom model to guarantee consistent coverage across all areas. This approach ensures security standards and operational efficiency throughout airport operations.
NMIAL emphasized they are following the exact same framework already established at major Indian airports. These include facilities in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad that have successfully implemented this system.
Critical Need for Reliable Connectivity
The airport operator explained why a neutral-host in-building solution proves essential for mission-critical zones. Areas like baggage handling sections, utility buildings and air traffic control towers often suffer from weak signal coverage when left to individual telecom providers.
This centralized approach ensures passengers and staff experience reliable connectivity throughout the airport complex. The system prevents dead zones in important operational areas that could compromise safety and efficiency.
BSNL Already Providing Services
NMIAL revealed that BSNL has already been onboarded and currently delivers fully functional telecom services at the airport. This demonstrates that connectivity infrastructure is operational and accessible to service providers.
Pricing Aligned with Industry Standards
The company specifically denied allegations about demanding annual charges amounting to Rs 44.16 crore. NMIAL stated their pricing structure aligns completely with prevailing industry benchmarks at other public-private partnership airports across India.
Regular Engagement with Service Providers
NMIAL also refuted claims that right of way has been denied to telecom service providers. The airport operator emphasized they have maintained consistent engagement with all interested companies.
The company confirmed they have offered services based on standard terms commonly accepted throughout the industry. This ongoing dialogue aims to ensure multiple telecom providers can eventually operate at the facility.
The comprehensive statement from NMIAL seeks to clarify their position while addressing each allegation point by point. The airport operator maintains they are following established practices to ensure optimal connectivity for all airport users.
