Department of Telecommunications has directed Navi Mumbai airport authorities to allow telecom companies to set up infrastructure, deeming the newly established airport as a “public entity.”
“You are requested to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and the Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024 while processing applications for grant of RoW permissions within your premises, and to take necessary action to facilitate establishment of telecom infrastructure in accordance with the statutory framework,” said DoT in its order to the Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited.
Meanwhile, telecom service providers have started test trials to set up the infrastructure for the airport premises.
In December 2025, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) wrote to DoT regarding difficulties faced by licensed Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) in establishing telecom infrastructure at the Navi Mumbai Airport.
The representative body stated that airport authorities had denied RoW permissions to TSPs and instead required them to utilize an exclusive in-building telecom network at charges stated to be unreasonably high.
“It is clarified that, in terms of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, Navi Mumbai International Airport qualifies as a “public entity” for the purposes of the said Act,” said DoT.
Published on February 18, 2026
