COAI Accuses Mumbai Metro of Imposing Monopolistic Rents on Mobile Network Access

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has accused Mumbai Metro of demanding excessive fees for mobile network access. COAI argues that public authorities should not deny telecom operators the Right of Way (RoW) in public areas. This stance is based on existing regulations that prohibit such denials.

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Telecom service providers have proposed a shared network to minimise disruptions, but this offer was overlooked by Mumbai Metro. COAI claims that Mumbai Metro has created a monopoly by allowing only a third-party vendor to provide connectivity, leading to exorbitant charges for network access.

Right of Way Rules and Industry Norms

According to COAI Director General S P Kochhar, the new Telecommunication Act and RoW rules prevent public authorities from denying telecom operators access in public spaces. However, Mumbai Metro's actions contradict these rules, Kochhar stated.

COAI highlighted that deploying networks without cost is standard practice in significant locations like the PWD tunnel at Pragati Maidan and Central Vista. Telecom service providers lay infrastructure there without incurring charges from third parties.

Challenges with Third-Party Vendor Precedence

COAI criticised Mumbai Metro for citing precedence to justify using a third-party vendor and denying RoW to telecom companies. The association emphasised that incorrect precedents do not establish legitimacy and are addressing these monopolistic practices separately.

The association, which includes Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, stated that telecom providers are willing to invest in network infrastructure within the Metro despite no additional revenue. However, paying high fees to Mumbai Metro is not feasible.

Trial Services and Proposed Solutions

COAI noted that telecom services are currently offered on a trial basis by all providers while awaiting a formal agreement. To ensure seamless connectivity for commuters, telecom companies proposed offering mobile services free of charge until commercial terms are agreed upon.

This proposal was communicated through a joint letter dated 7th April 2025. COAI described it as reasonable and consumer-focused but said it was ignored by Mumbai Metro.

COAI remains committed to resolving these issues and ensuring fair practices in providing mobile connectivity within public transport systems like Mumbai Metro. The association continues to advocate for equitable access and reasonable terms for all stakeholders involved.

With inputs from PTI