PASSENGERS ON DOMESTIC FLIGHTS WILL SOON BE ABLE TO MAKE CALLS & ACCESS INTERNET MID-AIR

Passengers on domestic flights will soon be able to make phone calls and access the internet on their phone during their flights and ship voyage within the Indian-airspace and waters as the government notifies the rules for providing the said services.

According to a report in India Times, Indian and foreign airlines and shipping companies operating in the country can provide in-flight and maritime voice and data services in partnership with a valid Indian telecom license holder.

“These rules may be called the Flight and Maritime Connectivity Rules, 2018. They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette,” the notification dated December 14 said.

The in-flight and maritime connectivity (IFMC) can be provided using telecom networks on the ground as well as using satellites. The connectivity can be provided by a valid telecom licence holder in India through domestic and foreign satellites having a permission of the Department of Space, the notification said.

“In case of using satellite system for providing IFMC, the telegraph message shall be passed through the satellite gateway earth station located within India...and such satellite gateway earth stations shall be interconnected with the NLD (national long distance) or access service or ISP licensee’s network for further delivery of service,” the notification added.

The IFMC connection will be activated once the aircraft attains a minimum height of 3,000 metres in Indian airspace to avoid interference with terrestrial mobile networks.