Telecom operators Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea (Vi) and Reliance Jio said they will not be able to provide In-Building Solutions (IBS) services at unviable rates offered by Mumbai authorities’ selected partner ACES for Mumbai’s metro stations.
“It is reiterated that it would not be possible for us to provide IBS services at unviable rates offered by your selected partner ACES,” said the companies in a letter addressed to Ashwini Bhide, Managing Director of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) on April 7.
Instead, the telcos offered connectivity to IBS network of ACES by installing their equipment.
“This offer of connectivity is purely on Free Of Cost (FOC) basis till the time there is an agreement on terms and conditions for providing connectivity of IBS network to your selected partner ACES. We would start payment for using IBS network with prospective effect only from the date of signing of agreement,” said telcos.
The matter is a continuation of an earlier conversation started by the telcos in late February when they asked for a collaborative initiative to implement IBS within Mumbai Metro stations. However, now the service providers seem at odds with the rates suggested by ACES, the company selected by MMRCL for the project.
As per news reports, Jio users are expected to face mobile network issues on the Colaba-Bandra-Aarey Metro Line 3 once it is fully functional as the telco wants its own parallel IBS infrastructure. Meanwhile, Airtel and Vi have agreed on a joint deployment of IBS as per the MMRCL’s mandate to ensure efficient cabling and radio equipment in the restricted underground space.
Published on April 19, 2025
