- India’s state run telecom operator,Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has procured the in-flight and maritime connectivity(IFMC) license from the Department of Telecommunications to provide Internet and mobile services on flights.
- BSNL and its satellite partner Inmarsat will be able to offer IFMC services to (a)Indian airlines operating within and outside India (b)foreign airlines transiting through Indian airspace and (c)shipping companies operating within Indian waters.Further,Inmarsat and BSNL are expected to commence services later this year once the ground infrastructure and associated approvals are in place.
- According to the Department of Telecommunications(DoT) rules, passengers can make phone calls or use the Internet when a flight is at a minimum height of 3,000m in Indian airspace to avoid interference with terrestrial mobile networks.
- Inmarsat is a British satellite telecommunications company.It offers global mobile services.It also provides telephone and data services to users worldwide via portable or mobile terminals which communicate with ground stations through thirteen geostationary telecommunication satellites.
