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The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Friday recommended allowing mobile telephony and Internet services for passengers during air travel in the country through both satellite and terrestrial network.
The Department of Telecom had sought views of Trai on 10 August 2017, over proposal to introduce voice, data and video services over Indian airspace for domestic, international and overflying flights in Indian air space.
As we had reported in the latter part of 2017, the proposal to sanction use of in-flight Wi-Fi was on the table, and a decision has been taken right on cue.
Also Read: Inflight Internet in India a Few Months Away: What You’ll Get
Trai said that for mobile services, there should be flexibility to IFC service providers in terms of use of technology and frequencies inside the aircraft cabin that should be consistent with international standards, provided no harmful interference is caused.
The regulator said that Internet services through Wi-Fi onboard should be made available when electronic devices are permitted to be used only in in-flight or airplane mode and announcement regarding this should be made after boarding is completed and the aircraft is about to taxi.
Also Read: Get Set Wi-Fi: In-Flight Internet Is Finally Coming to India!
The Quint even got a chance to test the capability of in-flight Wi-Fi last year, where we managed to get speeds up to 25Mbps airborne.
The regulator recommended creation of an IFC Service Provider for IFC services at annual licence fee of Re 1 only initially, after entering into an arrangement with telecom licence holder having appropriate authorisation.
The regulator said that the IFC service provider should be permitted to use either INSAT systems (Indian Satellite System or foreign satellite capacity leased through Department of Space) or foreign satellites outside INSAT systems in the Indian airspace.
It added that routing of traffic through satellite gateway in India should be imposed regardless of whether the satellite in question is an Indian satellite system or not.
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(With inputs from PTI.)
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