Telecom operators in India block Mumbai metro connectivity tender

India’s leading telecom operators, including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, have raised objections to the terms of a new tender aimed at deploying mobile connectivity infrastructure in the Mumbai metro system.

The operators argue that the base pricing—approximately INR 1,000 per square foot, including unused areas—is economically unviable. As a result, they have declined to provide the required financial guarantees to participating vendors, effectively stalling the tender process.

Instead, the operators have proposed acquiring the existing infrastructure installed by contractor ACES and expanding it under a shared usage model. According to industry participants, this approach would reduce duplication of investments and accelerate deployment timelines.

The dispute underscores broader tensions between public infrastructure authorities and telecom operators over cost structures and return on investment. At the same time, reliable mobile connectivity in metro systems is increasingly seen as essential for both passenger safety and service quality.