Telecom infrastructure and connectivity solutions provider ACES India announced on Friday it has partnered with state-owned telco Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to deploy 4G and 5G in-building solutions (IBS) across the newly inaugurated Mumbai Metro Aqua Line-3.

The collaboration between BSNL and ACES India – a fully owned subsidiary of ACES (Saudi Arabia) – aims to cover the entire 33.5 km underground corridor, including 27 stations and associated tunnel networks, ensuring uninterrupted, high-speed mobile connectivity for millions of daily commuters.

The deal marks BSNL's first-ever deployment of an advanced IBS system in a metro project in Maharashtra, said Harinder Kumar Makkar, chief GM of BSNL Maharashtra Telecom Circle.

“The Aqua Line-3 IBS rollout will set new standards for underground connectivity and public service delivery,” he said in a statement.

Mohammed N. Mazher, MD for ACES India, added that the project also represents a major milestone for its own business as it expands its footprint in India's smart mobility and telecom infrastructure sectors.

“As a fully owned subsidiary of ACES (Saudi Arabia), we bring global expertise and local execution strength to transform how connectivity integrates with urban mobility,” he said.

The first phase Mumbai Metro Aqua Line-3 from Aarey to Bandra Kurla Complex has been operational since October 2024. The entire 33.5-km line began operations last Thursday.