TRAI Allows Wi-Fi & Mobile Services On Board For Flyers In And Over India
New Delhi: There is some good news for travelers flying in and over India. Now they can access both internet and mobile services on board aircraft. Yes, you read it right!
TRAI; the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has issued the recommendations on in-flight connectivity (IFC). As per this recommendation, the airlines will be allowed to offer both these services to flyers with certain conditions put in place for security reasons.
Passengers can enjoy the internet services from the time they enter the plane. But they need to put their personal electronic devices on flight mode. The mobile services can be allowed when aircraft reaches the height of 3,000 meters.
TRAI stated on the same that “By meeting some requirements, airlines can offer both these services. It is up to them which one to offer and whether to offer them.”
Most of the major carriers all over the world offer the Wi-Fi facility on board and allow the mobile calls which could be too much of a nuisance for the fellow travelers.
TRAI stated that the internet services will be available to the passengers with a height restriction of 3,000 meters in Indian airspace for its compatibility with terrestrial mobile networks.
Also Read: Essential Guide To List Of Airlines Offering In-flight Wi-Fi
Talking about the regulatory requirements, it would remain the same for both Indian registered and foreign registered airlines.
Either the Indian Satellite System or foreign satellite capacity can be by the IFC service provider.
TRAI also mentioned that in order to promote the adoption of IFC services in Indian airspace, the IFC service provider should be imposed a flat annual License Fee of a token amount of Re 1. And for the later stage also, the same may be reviewed and amended.
As of now, the framework for IFC services in Indian airspace is recommended to be made applicable to all types of aircraft. It will include business jets, commercial airlines, and executive aircraft.
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