Officials of the telecom department and aviation ministry will meet next week to chart out the framework and guidelines for operationalising ‘in-flight’ data and voice connectivity, reported PTI citing source.
“We plan to hold a meeting coming Monday (May 14) or Tuesday (May 15) with officials of Civil Aviation Ministry on this,” Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundararajan told reporters on the sidelines of CII Broadband Summit yesterday in New Delhi.
PTI further reported that major airlines, including Air India and Vistara, have welcomed the government’s decision, and Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu has said he will ensure “earliest implementation” of the proposal.
While mobile phone use will still be restricted during takeoff and landing, Telecom Commission has approved the lifting of a ban on the use mobile phone and internet services at cruising altitudes.
Globally, many airlines are already offering wi-fi for passengers, but they currently must switch off the facility when they enter the Indian airspace.
A separate category of licencees – in-flight service providers – will be created for offering such services, and licence fee for such niche providers will be pegged at Re 1.
