Telecom Commission has approved almost all the TRAI’s Recommendation on In-flight Connectivity in its meeting on 1st May 2018. With this, the airlines and the TSPs can offer voice and data services in India Airspace once an aircraft reaches an altitude of 3000 metres. It is expected that it will take 3 to 4 months to operationalise the service.
In line with earlier decision of Committee of Secretaries, In-Flight voice and data services shall be provided through Indian Satellites or through satellites approved by Department of Space for communication purposes, with gateways in India.
A separate category of licensee called In-Flight Connectivity Provider shall be created with a token license fee of Re. 1. Such facilityof voice and data connectivity shall also be extended to ships and other moving vehicles (Earth Stations in Motion).
(Inputs from PIB)
