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Telecom companies have written to the Department of Telecommunications, accusing NMIAL of a “monopolistic system”. Telecom companies are claiming that the airport is denying permission to telecom companies as per Right of Way (RoW) rules to deploy their respective networks.
In a letter to DoT, the telecom companies alleged, “NMIAL has directed the TSPs to compulsorily use the network deployed by it at excessive and commercially unsustainable charges. NMIAL is demanding payment of approx 92 lakhs per month per operator, totaling approx.
44.16 crore per year for the four operators.
Telecom companies are seeking the Central government’s intervention to allow NMIAL to grant RoW approval to telecom companies to set up networks. The telecom companies are also demanding action against the Adani-backed airport for “violating the terms and conditions of the license” and “creating an unacceptable monopoly arrangement”.
Telecom companies have also objected to NMIAL’s statements holding telecom companies responsible for the lack of network at the airport, claiming that the permissions are pending from NMIAL.
Adani-backed NMIAL has rejected these allegations. In a statement, it made it clear that it would not succumb to cartelisation by private telecom companies.
It said RoW permissions have not been withheld from telecom companies. It claims to provide in-house In-Building Solution (IBS) infrastructure to facilitate mobile networks. It claimed that as per industry charges it had already offered the use of IBS infra to telecom companies. NMIAL clarified that state-run BSNL is “already in advanced stage of trials for the use of IBS at the airport”.
NMIAL is blaming the network shortage on the delay by the telecom companies in deciding on the rates for the use of NMIAL IBS Infra. It added, “We are working vigorously with TSPs to conclude the discussions. We welcome individual TSPs to discuss and mutually agree on rates.”