Mobile telecommunication inside the city’s first underground metro, Aqua Line 3, remains down after the third-party infrastructure provider was switched off for failing to meet contract conditions. Any new network will take time to install, with no immediate relief in sight.
With the intent to provide cellular connectivity to all passengers, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), which operates Aqua Line 3, had invited bids to set up neutral or common infrastructure that could be used by any telecom operator.
This was in line with best practices followed in large-scale infrastructure projects such as airports and metro systems across India. However, telecom companies disputed the model, alleging that Aqua Line 3 had created a monopoly by routing connectivity exclusively through a third-party vendor. The dispute has left the city’s first underground metro corridor without mobile connectivity.
Commuters travel on an Aqua Line 3 train between stations as the underground corridor remains without mobile connectivity
Asked about the status, a senior Aqua Line official said, “There has been no development. The third-party infrastructure provider has switched off the network after being terminated for failing to meet contract conditions. Any new network will take time to install.”
What telcos say
Telecom operators said they were always willing to provide connectivity. But, in the case of Aqua Line 3, they allege that a monopoly has been created by mandating connectivity exclusively through a third-party vendor, which is now seeking to charge high and unreasonable rates. They said under the new Telecommunication Act and its Right of Way rules, a public authority cannot deny telecom service providers access to public infrastructure.
What MMRCL says
MMRCL said it followed a fair and transparent process to ensure connectivity. “With the intent to provide cellular connectivity in the underground metro to all passengers, MMRCL invited bids to set up neutral/common infrastructure that could be used by any telco. This is in line with best practices followed by airports and metro rail systems across India.”
MMRCL undertook an open tender process to onboard a neutral infrastructure provider. Telcos gave letters of support to bidders, thereby endorsing the process. As the provider was onboarded through a competitive, fair and transparent process, any allegations of irregularities are baseless and unfounded.
* This article was originally published here
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