MMRCL’s vendor-driven model violates Telecom Act: COAI

COAI accuses MMRCL of violating Telecommunication Act, 2023 by awarding telecom infrastructure deployment to third-party vendor
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Mumbai Metro Rail Company Ltd (MMRCL) has violated the provisions of the Telecommunication Act, 2023 by awarding telecom infrastructure deployment to a third-party IP-I vendor, stated telco physique Mobile Operators Affiliation of India (COAI) on Monday.

Stating that COAI strongly opposes the “unlawful and anti-consumer model” adopted by the MMRCL for provisioning telecom infrastructure on Metro Line 3 (Colaba–Bandra–Aarey hall), the trade physique issued a press release saying, “Below the present telecom licensing framework, IP-I suppliers are prohibited from deploying energetic infrastructure. This transfer not solely breaches the Telecommunication Act, 2023, but additionally sidelines licensed Telecom Service Suppliers (TSPs) who’re legally authorised and technically geared up to independently deploy cell networks. Deploying such community(s) are a norm, even in vital locations just like the PWD tunnel in Pragati Maidan or the Central Vista whereby the TSPs are laying infrastructure with out paying any price to anybody (together with any third celebration).”

Earlier, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Concept (Vi) and Reliance Jio had collectively proposed to put in a typical In-Constructing Resolution (IBS) community throughout the metro hall. Nevertheless, the plans hit a rut because the telcos stated MMRCL’s chosen companion ACES provided “unviable charges” to the telcos.

“MMRC arbitrarily rejected their request for Proper of Method (RoW) permissions, citing the collection of a vendor via its inner tender course of. This resolution prioritizes industrial positive factors over public comfort and stands in blatant violation of the Telecommunication Act, 2023, which ensures truthful, non-discriminatory entry to public infrastructure for licensed TSPs,” stated COAI.

Additional, it known as MMRCL’s collection of a vendor-driven model an anti-competitive apply, to extract unjustified industrial returns.

Earlier information studies had stated Airtel and Vi had agreed on a joint deployment of IBS as per the MMRCL’s mandate. Nevertheless, COAI known as the claims factually incorrect and stated, “No member TSP of COAI has signed any settlement with MMRC’s vendor.” As such, it requested the MMRCL to instantly rethink its present stance.

Printed on April 21, 2025