Will Noida International Airport's January 2026 Launch Be Grounded by Telecom Fee Dispute?
Key Points
- 1Noida International Airport's January 2026 launch is threatened by an unresolved telecom connectivity dispute.
- 2The core issue is NIA's demand for high usage fees (₹67 lakh/month/operator) for its third-party network, which telcos argue violates the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
- 3The dispute mirrors a similar, ongoing standoff at the Navi Mumbai International Airport, setting a potentially costly precedent for new infrastructure projects.
- 4The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is expected to intervene in mid-January 2026 to resolve the matter, which is critical for airport passenger experience and digital operations.
The much-anticipated inauguration of Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, is scheduled for January 2026. However, a significant challenge has emerged just weeks before the launch. An ongoing dispute over telecom connectivity threatens to compromise the airport passenger experience and digital operations.
NIA authorities and major telecom service providers are at a standoff. The core issue centers on network deployment and usage fees. This conflict raises questions about essential mobile network services at the new aviation hub.
The Telecom Fee Standoff
The dispute began when NIA, which is being developed by Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, a subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG, deployed its own telecom infrastructure through a third-party vendor. The airport operator then requested that licensed telecom companies pay a fee to utilize this network.
Industry sources report NIA is demanding approximately ₹67 lakh per month per operator. This charge could total over ₹32 crore annually for four major operators. Telecom service providers (TSPs) have labeled these charges as both arbitrary and exorbitant.
Regulatory and Legal Conflict
Telecom companies argue that the airport’s demands violate their statutory Right of Way (RoW). RoW refers to the legal right to deploy network infrastructure. They contend that only licensed TSPs have the legal authority to deploy active networks.
Furthermore, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) asserts that the airport qualifies as a “public entity” under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. Under the Act and the Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024, RoW charges are restricted to administrative and restoration costs. The fees demanded by NIA are reportedly far in excess of these permissible costs. The COAI is seeking intervention from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to resolve the matter.
Precedent at Navi Mumbai International Airport
This telecom connectivity dispute mirrors a similar situation at the Adani-backed Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). At NMIA, operators were reportedly asked to pay even higher fees. This high-cost model, if allowed to stand, could establish an unsustainable precedent for telecom deployment at large, private infrastructure projects across India.
Passengers at NMIA have already reported facing mobile network issues due to the ongoing standoff. The DoT is currently involved in resolving the NMIA issue, with a crucial meeting scheduled for mid-January 2026. The outcome of this meeting will likely influence the negotiations at the Jewar Airport launch.
Digital Readiness Amidst the Standoff
Despite the ongoing fee disagreement, NIA has taken steps to secure its core digital operations. In December 2025, the airport partnered with IT services major Tech Mahindra. This collaboration is to establish and operate an integrated Network Operations Centre and Security Operations Centre (NOC-SOC).
Tech Mahindra will provide 24x7 monitoring and management of the airport’s critical IT infrastructure. This includes applications, databases, and network systems. The integrated NOC-SOC is designed to ensure operational resilience and a strong cybersecurity posture. This focus on the digital backbone is vital for safe and seamless operations. However, it does not solve the passenger-facing mobile network services issue.
Impact on Commercial Aviation
Reliable telecom connectivity is critical for a modern airport’s success. It is essential for passenger communication, security systems, and digital check-in services. Any prolonged delay in resolving the RoW dispute could significantly affect the overall launch experience for passengers and airlines.
The industry is closely watching the DoT’s intervention. A resolution is necessary to ensure seamless connectivity when the airport opens its doors. This will be a key story for commercial aviation news as the NIA inauguration January 2026 approaches.
- The Noida International Airport is set for a January 2026 inauguration, confirmed by CM Yogi Adityanath.
- The telecom connectivity dispute centers on NIA’s demand for high network usage fees, reported at ₹67 lakh per month per operator.
- Telecom operators cite the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and RoW Rules, which restrict charges to administrative costs.
- The outcome is critical for airport passenger experience and sets a precedent for large infrastructure projects.
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