The government has permitted airlines operating in India to provide in-flight WiFi services to passengers. Previously, the Telecom Commission had given its green signal to in-flight connectivity of Internet and mobile communications on aircraft in Indian airspace in 2018.
Who can permit?
The pilot may permit the access of Internet services by passengers on board an aircraft in flight, through Wi-Fi on board, when devices are used in flight mode or airplane mode.
How in- flight connectivity works?
In-flight connectivity systems use two kinds of technologies- terrestrial and satellite internet services.
1. Once flight mode is activated, the plane’s antenna will link to terrestrial Internet services provided by telecom service providers.
2. Then, when the aircraft has climbed to 3,000 m, the antenna will switch to satellite-based services.
This way, there will be no break in Internet services to passengers, and cross-interference between terrestrial and satellite networks will be avoided.