Good news for flyers, in-flight mobile connectivity in Indian airspace gets Telecom panel nod

In big boost for flyers, the Telecom Commission, highest decision-making body of the Department of Telecommunications, today approved the long awaited mobile in-flight connectivity. The commission headed by Aruna Sundararajan says that the formalities to provide the facility will be made available over next three months.  In-flight connectivity will be allowed in both domestic as well as international airlines entering the Indian space. It also says that the license for in-flight connectivity will be provided at a meagre fee of Re 1. In fact, the telecom commission has accepted all recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to make in-flight connectivity a reality. Significantly, no discussion on net neutrality and allotment formula of E and V band spectrum took place.

"Almost all recommendations by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on this have been accepted. We are expediting the process (to start) and within 3 months it should be ready," Sundararajan  said.

Under the process, the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) will be asked to set up an appellate, where the consumers will be asked to lodge their complaints first. They can move to the ombudsman in the case where he/she is not satisfied with the decision of the appellate body. 

In addition, the commission has also decided to constitute a telecom ombudsman to address public grievances of aggrieved telecom consumers. The ombudsman can be created by amending the TRAI Act. 

Besides, the Telecom Commission has also approved Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommendations related to ease of doing business. It has also approved the regulatory framework for internet telephony. 

Highlights of Telecom Commission announcement:

- Telecom Commission approves in flight connectivity. 
- Time taken for same is 3 months. 
-  License fee will be Re 1
- All TRAI recommendations related to ease of doing business approved
- Internet telephony approved
-  There will be a telecom ombudsman to address public grievances
- in-flight connectivity will allowed in domestic as well as international airlines entering indian space.
- License fee of Re 1 will be charged to in-flight providers
- All the recommendations of TRAI to make in-flight connectivity cleared
- An ombudsman will be created to address consumer grievances 
- TRAI to create ombudsman, get necessary approval. Trai act to be amended for this. 
- Under this each TSP will set up an appelate tribunal; if not satisfied, consumers will reach ombudsman
 

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- currently 10 mln complaints are received per quarter 
- no discussion on net neutrality and allotment formula of E and V band spectrum