Flyers will be able to browse the net and make calls 3,000 metres above the sea level, in three to four months . On Tuesday, the Telecom Commission, headed by telecom secretary Aruna Sundararajan, gave its approval to the proposal.
Earlier this year the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (Trai’s) had recommended that mobile calls and data/internet services should be allowed on domestic and international flights, with certain riders.
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The department of telecommunications had then sought the commission’s views on introducing voice, data and video services over Indian airspace for domestic, international and overflying flights. Globally, more than 30 airlines allow voice calls and internet access during flights.
The go-ahead from telecom commission, the highest decision making authority of the telecom department, would help Indian carriers to compete with foreign airlines. It would mean that airlines will have to make additional investment in equipment and may pass on a part of the cost to the flyers.