Mumbai, April 14: India’s telecom infrastructure is experiencing significant disruptions as the ongoing conflict in West Asia begins to affect connectivity, logistics, and equipment supply. Telecommunication infrastructure providers and equipment manufacturers have reported that freight route blockades and geopolitical instability are driving up transportation and insurance costs for imported telecom equipment, while also delaying shipments crucial for network operations, according to an Economic Times report dated April 13, 2026.
Diesel Restrictions Disrupt Tower Operations
The Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA), representing India’s digital infrastructure industry, has highlighted operational challenges to the Department of Telecommunications and state authorities. DIPA noted that telecom personnel are being denied the purchase of diesel in containers at fuel stations due to restrictions aimed at preventing public hoarding. However, the industry stresses that telecom towers are essential infrastructure requiring a steady fuel supply.
Several districts across states, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, have imposed restrictions on diesel sales in containers, causing fuel stations to stop supplies to telecom teams. According to DIPA, this has disrupted the routine refueling of telecom towers, with Maharashtra already facing adverse effects on network continuity.
Power Outages Increase Dependence on Generators
The situation is further complicated by widespread power outages in several states, with disruptions lasting between four to six hours daily. This has significantly increased reliance on diesel generators for backup power. The industry body stated, “Telecom networks critically depend on an uninterrupted power supply, especially in rural and remote areas where grid power is unreliable.” They emphasized that diesel is routinely needed to operate diesel generator sets at mobile tower sites to ensure continuous availability of telecom networks.
Manufacturing Faces LPG Supply Constraints
Supply chain challenges are also emerging in telecom tower manufacturing due to restrictions on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquefied natural gas. DIPA indicated that the stoppage of LPG supplies to galvanization units, which are critical for tower manufacturing, could delay network expansion and infrastructure rollout.
Equipment Deliveries Delayed Amid Rerouted Shipping
Meanwhile, the Telecom Equipment Manufacturers Association (TEMA), representing global players such as Ericsson and Nokia, reported significant delays in equipment deliveries. Shipments that previously took a week are now taking up to a month, as vessels are rerouted along longer paths due to the conflict. The resulting logistical bottlenecks have sharply increased delivery timelines and operational costs. A TEMA spokesperson remarked, “Logistics have become a major problem with ships being forced to take much longer, rerouted paths, which has significantly increased delivery times.”
Capex Slowdown Expected in West Asia
Additionally, Commtel Networks, which provides telecom networks to critical infrastructure sectors, has indicated that it expects a halt on new capital expenditure and requests for quotations in West Asia.
Leave a Comment