Mobile network expansion hits 'access' roadblock

Bengaluru: Close to 30 per cent of the Right of Way (RoW) applications, most of them submitted by telecom infrastructure providers, have been rejected in Karnataka over the last decade, resulting in a slower expansion of telecom networks in parts of the state. 

According to data accessed by DH, of the 38,660 RoW applications filed, 10,884 have been rejected. RoW is the basic permission required to roll out any communication infrastructure including mobile towers and OFC cables). As a result, network problems have been reported from many parts of the state, even from many pockets in Bengaluru. 

Telecom service providers claimed that the process of getting the RoW certificate was cumbersome, affecting the digital infrastructure layout in Karnataka. They pointed out that the government could have streamlined the process had it implemented the Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024. 

"The most fundamental challenge stems from Karnataka's failure to formally implement the Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024, despite these rules being notified under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and becoming effective from January 1, 2025," said Manoj Kumar Singh, Director General of Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA).

"This non-implementation creates a regulatory vacuum where infrastructure providers must navigate outdated frameworks while the national standards have evolved. The 2024 Rules are specifically designed to simplify and expedite telecom infrastructure approvals across both public and private properties, yet their absence at the state level forces providers to continue operating under legacy systems," he said.

For instance, the Telecommunication (RoW) Roles, 2024 mandated a simplified intimation-based process with minimal documentation for mobile tower installation over private properties. 

"However, even to this, infrastructure providers struggle to get approvals since the state's portals continue to follow an unjustified NOC-based process with additional documentation — such as registered agreements, building plans and property tax receipts — for private property applications. This contradicts the 2024 Rules," Singh added.

That apart, infrastructure providers also opined that they could deliver better services if the applications are processed in a time-bound manner and if various departments worked in sync with each other.

A senior official from the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) who did not want to be named told DH that the major reason why the applications are being rejected is because of a lack of coordination between departments.

"Usually, the applicants file the application under a particular department and if it does not come under that particular department, officials do not pass it over to the concerned department and hence, many applications get rejected," the officials explained.

Karnataka is among the states that take the longest period to process RoW applications, with the turnaround time going up to 150 days. Such delays push infrastructure projects indefinitely, stakeholders opined.

The rejection of applications also leads to financial losses, Singh added.

"The current system lacks mechanisms for fee refunds or fee adjustments upon application rejection, leading to direct financial losses for infrastructure providers. The inability to re-submit applications with prior fee adjustments discourages compliance and creates additional financial burden, particularly impacting smaller infrastructure providers and new market entrants," he said.

However, senior officials from the Electronics, Information Technology and Biotechnology Department said the rules have been notified in rural areas. 

The Urban Development Department (UDD) maintained that it was following the 2024 rules by default and there was no need to notify them separately. 

"There is no need to notify the rules separately, we are following what has been notified by the Government of India. However, in BBMP limits there might be a few problems which are operational issues rather than the problem with the rules. BBMP officials are working on sorting out these problems," said Tushar Girinath, Additional Chief Secretary (UDD).

Senior BBMP officials said  there were some issues regarding payments and that was now being discussed.

"There are discussions on fee payment structure. We want them to pay upfront but the companies prefer annual payment. However, we are resolving such issues,” the official said.

After nearly two years, the BBMP recently started providing permissions to install OFC cables.