Call & browse on board: DOT proposes connectivity on aircraft

IN A potential boost to the airline sector, the Department of Telecommunications (DOT) has proposed allowing in-flight connectivity which will give passengers access to voice, video and data services on-board when the aircraft is flying over Indian airspace.

The proposal, which was earlier being considered by the Civil Aviation Ministry, is currently being worked on by the DOT and a final policy on the issue is expected shortly, officials told The Indian Express.

The DOT is learnt to have sent a draft plan to amend the Indian Telegraph Rules and the Indian Telegraph Act about a month ago to a committee of secretaries but the proposal came back with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Space seeking certain clarifications. “When it went to the committee, it got support from a number of departments, including civil aviation, DIPP (Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion). Home and space departments raised some issues which will be addressed in the final policy,” the official said, adding that a revised proposal would be made to the panel by end of this month.

In-flight connectivity can be provided through ground-to-air communication and satellite communication but the DOT proposal is specifically focused on providing connectivity on-board through satellites. Some of the concerns raised pertained to satellites and whether Indian or foreign satellites would be used. “The Ministry of Home Affairs specifically wanted to know if