Telecom Commission Permits Use of Mobile Phones To Make Calls On Flights!

Air travellers in India will now be able to use the internet and make calls on the flight. This is due to the Telecom Commission approving the proposal for In-flight connectivity on Tuesday.

While mobile phone usage will still be restricted during take-off and landing, the Telecom Commission has lifted the ban on the use mobile phones and internet services on the airplane while cruising in the sky.

The in-flight connectivity facility is expected to be rolled out in 3-4 months, once the licenses and back-end agreements are worked out. The telecom department will now have to create a separate category of licensees called In-Flight Connectivity(IFC) provider.

In an article published by us last month, we mentioned how Telecom Regulatory Authority Of India(TRAI) had recommended to the government that in-flight mobile usage and internet services should be allowed under certain conditions.

Here are the highlights of the conditions sent by TRAI –

• Wi-fi onboard should be provided once boarding is complete.
• Mobile communication on aircraft be allowed at a minimum altitude of 3,000 metres.
• Passengers should use internet services in airplane mode.
• Foreign satellites and gateways should be permitted for IFC providers to operate in-flight wi-fi.

Telecom Commission has accepted all recommendations of TRAI except the use of foreign satellites and gateways because the telecom department wants IFC providers to use Indian satellites for In-flight services and the gateway to be in India.

The prices on which in-flight Wi-Fi will be provided to the passengers will be worked out on a mutual agreement between the service provider and the airline. Passengers may have to pay Rs 200-300 for a 2-3 hour flight and more for international flights.

Major airlines, including Air India and Vistara welcomed the Telecom Commission’s decision, with Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu saying he will ensure “earliest implementation” of the proposal.

Globally, many airlines are already offering wi-fi for passengers, but they currently have to switch off the facility when they enter the Indian airspace.

AirAsia, Air France, British Airways, Egypt Air, Emirates, Air New Zealand, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways and Virgin Atlantic are amongst 30 airlines that allow mobile phone use on the aircraft.