Latest News

Mumbai Airport, Adani and Ambani's billionaire Ambani fight over mobile networks

According to a letter obtained by, Mukesh Ambani’s telecom company has urged the government to take action?over what it calls monopolistic practices in Gautam Adani’s new Mumbai airport, which they claim is blocking mobile operators from providing connectivity.

Adani's Navi Mumbai International Airport has denied the allegations. However, the dispute highlights India's growing rivalry among the two richest men in the country, whose conglomerates are increasingly competing across sectors, from green energy centres to data centers.

The airport on the outskirts of Mumbai began operating in December, after it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Adani has eight airports in his portfolio, and plans to add more.

After spotting the billboards offering free Wi-Fi at airports, passengers raised concerns about privacy and poor mobile coverage.

TELECOM OPERATORS REQUIRE ACCESS TO INFRASTRUCTURE AT AIRPORTS

In a letter dated January 13, Cellular Operators Association of India sent to the Indian government, it stated that Adani's Airport'must grant access' to install equipment, as required by Indian regulations, including airports.

Navi Mumbai International Airport stated that it has deployed "state-of the-art solutions", and that operators can partner with a company managing the airport's network infrastructure within buildings.

COAI, the company that represents Ambani Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, as well as Vodafone Idea, has said it will not comment on anything beyond its letter, which is private.

Both the companies and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India did not reply to our queries.

PASSENGER DISTRESS : "WE CAN'T CALLS?PEOPLES"

Jio is India's largest telecom company with more than 500 million subscribers. Airtel comes in second place at 314 millions, and Vodafone is third at almost 128 million.

Passengers have complained online that they cannot access the airport's Wi-Fi without mobile coverage, because a one-time WhatsApp password is required to log in.

You'll be grateful to see free Wi-Fi ads, thinking that you can now at least book taxis. When you go to the WiFI network to log in and you are asked for an OTP, adarsxh_baab posted on January 13.

Adani's statement?added that individual operators often provide "suboptimal coverage" when left to their own devices in sensitive areas like baggage handling zones. COAI?also claimed that the airport charges around $102,000 per month for each operator - or nearly $5 million annually if four carriers are involved - in order to use its network. Adani denied this claim.

"We cannot call anyone, pay for taxis, or book anything." Srihita Vanguri, a X user on Sunday, wrote that solo travellers would be in hell. Aditya K. Kalra, Munsif V. Vengattil and Louise Heavens (Reporting)

(source: Reuters)