ACES India Private has signed a 25-year agreement with Reliance Jio to provide 4G and 5G mobile connectivity across Mumbai Metro Aqua Line 3, extending high-capacity cellular coverage through the underground stations and tunnels of one of Mumbai’s major transport corridors.
Under the long-term agreement, Jio will deliver mobile services using telecom infrastructure deployed by ACES India across the metro network.
The deployment is designed to provide continuous voice, data and digital connectivity across stations, platforms, concourses and underground tunnels.
Connectivity to span 33.5km metro corridor
Mumbai Metro Aqua Line 3 extends approximately 33.5 kilometres from Aarey JVLR to Cuffe Parade and includes 27 stations.
The corridor connects major commercial, residential and transport locations across Mumbai, creating a significant requirement for reliable indoor and underground mobile coverage.
The underlying metro infrastructure has been designed to support an ultimate passenger capacity of more than 625 million journeys annually, according to ACES India.
4G and 5G services to operate through ACES infrastructure
Under the agreement, Reliance Jio will use the mobile infrastructure deployed by ACES India to provide its 4G and 5G services across the network.
Dedicated telecom infrastructure is particularly important in underground transport systems because signals from conventional outdoor macro sites can struggle to penetrate stations and tunnels.
Purpose-built systems can distribute mobile signals throughout enclosed environments while adding the capacity required to serve large numbers of commuters simultaneously.
High-capacity connectivity targets entire passenger journey
The deployment is intended to maintain mobile connectivity as passengers move between stations, platforms, concourses and tunnels.
That can support conventional voice and messaging alongside high-bandwidth applications such as video streaming, cloud services and other mobile data usage.
5G capacity could become increasingly relevant during peak periods, when large concentrations of passengers place significant demands on mobile infrastructure within a confined area.
Long-term agreement reflects infrastructure lifecycle
The 25-year duration of the agreement makes the partnership notable beyond the initial network deployment.
Metro telecom infrastructure typically requires continuous operation, maintenance and technology upgrades as mobile standards and user demand evolve.
The long-term arrangement gives Jio access to the installed infrastructure while providing a framework for connectivity across the corridor over multiple generations of mobile technology.
The source does not disclose the financial value of the agreement or provide a timetable for full service availability.
Source: MEA Tech Watch Press Reporter
