New Delhi
Fliers will soon be able to access Wi-Fi services on flights over the Indian airspace with the department of telecommunications moving a proposal.
“The DoT has already moved a proposal for providing inflight connectivity for voice, data, and video services for consideration of the committee of secretaries,” minister of state for civil aviation Jayant Sinha told Rajya Sabha. “As of now, Wi-Fi inflight Entertainment System is an independent system and is not connected to aircraft control systems, making it safe for aircraft operations,” the minister said.
“It was time that India came out of its self-created security fears and allowed airlines to offer a service that is available globally,” said aviation expert Rajji Rai.
Indian carriers have already begun preparations. While Air India has heard presentations from a couple of vendors, Vistara has completed the trial run for on-board WiFi services.
Sinha said the proposal involves the amendment of provisions of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and Indian Telegraph Rules.