MUMBAI, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government on Tuesday approved internet connectivity on flights.
Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu said, "Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) allowed the use of mobile phones for both voice and data services in the Indian airspace in domestic and international flights. They will be notifying the final draft which will take around three months."
While the airlines welcomed the approval for providing internet connectivity on flights, connectivity will not come in soon, but over the next few months as airlines, telecom operators and other intermediaries will come together to work out solutions and customer packages.
Vistara, a full service carrier, said it will explore the feasibility of providing seamless connectivity on board aircraft.
"It is a welcome move by the Telecom Commission as it would mean more convenience to air travelers. We will study the recommendations in detail and in due course determine the economics of offering domestic and/or international routes," a Vistara spokesperson said.
International Airlines such as Etihad, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa will be the first to start the service as they already have the infrastructure.
"With the government now opening the Indian skies to connectivity, these airlines may soon start offering them on our skies as well," an industry official said.
Aviation Secretary R N Choubey welcomed the move. A new category of in-flight connectivity service provider has been created. The norms for that will be set by the telecom and aviation ministries very soon, he said.
