Airport connectivity row: Telcos urge Trai to step in

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents major telecom firms, has approached the telecom regulator, seeking a cap on charges for in-building mobile network infrastructure at public places such as airports.

- Jatin Grover

This comes amid a standoff over providing connectivity at the newly opened Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).

The association has urged the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to examine the conduct of the airport, operated by the Adani Group, in denying telcos right-of-way (RoW) permissions to lay telecom infrastructure, and creating an exclusive, monopolistic in-building telecom arrangement at a public airport.

The issue is significant as travellers have been complain-