Domestic airlines to soon allow data services during flights

New Delhi: Data services will soon be available to domestic flyers during their journey as the highest decision-making body, Telecom Commission at the department of telecommunications (DoT), is gearing up to approve the long-time needed proposal.

A meeting in this regard is scheduled on May 1, a person who has knowledge in the matter said, requesting anonymity. “We have taken approvals from all (including the ministry of home affairs)… we will initially allow data services but slowly get into voice services also,” the person said as per a report by Hindustan Times.

With DoT’s approval, the airlines would offer internet services to flyers and the airlines would decide the cost of their service.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) suggested the in-flight connectivity (IFC) service provider, the airline should be permitted to use either INSAT (Indian Satellite System, or foreign satellite capacity leased through the department of space) or foreign satellites outside INSAT systems in Indian airspace.