As Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar prepares for its long-awaited launch, a key passenger-facing issue remains unresolved: telecom connectivity within the airport.

Like Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), NIA has not allowed telecom operators to deploy their networks independently. Instead, the airport has rolled out its own telecom infrastructure through a third-party provider. It is charging operators to access it.

NIA has sought a fee of Rs 67 lakh per month per operator. This amounts to Rs 32.16 crore annually if four telecom companies come on board. Telecom operators have pushed back, arguing that they alone have the right to deploy networks. They state that no such fee is payable under Right of Way norms. They have termed the charges arbitrary and exorbitant, and discussions with the airport operator are ongoing.

Even as this standoff continues, NIA has moved ahead with strengthening its digital backbone. In December 2025, it partnered with Tech Mahindra to set up and operate an integrated Network and Security Operations Centre (NOC-SOC). The facility will enable round-the-clock monitoring, threat detection and response for the airport’s IT, network, and cybersecurity systems.

Tech Mahindra will also provide technology consulting. It will manage critical digital infrastructure, including applications, databases, servers, storage systems, and associated platforms, on a 24×7 basis.

The airport is being developed and operated by a subsidiary of Switzerland-based Zurich Airport International AG. It is scheduled to be inaugurated in January 2026. This was confirmed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in the state Assembly in December 2025.

For comparison, Adani-backed Navi Mumbai International Airport has demanded an even higher fee of Rs 92 lakh per month per operator. This amounts to Rs 44.16 crore annually for four operators, highlighting a broader industry debate around telecom access at India’s new airports.

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