Mumbai/New Delhi: Foreign carriers such as Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa are soon likely to offer mobile connectivity on board flights in Indian airspace after the government’s go-ahead. But local airlines may go slow on rolling out the service because of the cost involved, said industry executives.
“It’s a welcome decision. Lufthansa doesn’t offer call services but we do offer data services,” said Wolfgang Will, a senior director at the German airline. “Right now, an aircraft has to fly out of Indian airspace for connectivity to be activated. After this approval, there is a possibility of providing passengers with the services within the Indian airspace too. We shall definitely look at it.”
Singapore Airlines offers in-flight connectivity on Airbus A380, A350 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft through SITA ONAIR and Panasonic. “Coverage for in-flight connectivity services are dependent on the approvals obtained by service providers,” said a spokesperson at the airline. Getting approvals will now likely be easy following decision of the Telecom Commission, the highest decision-making body in the telecom department, to allow the service.
“Great that India has finally taken this grand decision after 15 long years when technology was first demonstrated,” said Mark Martin, founder of Dubai-based Martin Consulting. “But it remains to be seen at what price it will come to consumers. These are satellite calls. It will obviously be akin to roaming rates. It will be interesting to see how the consumer can absorb it,” he added.
Globally, rates offered by airlines vary as per route, aircraft and class. Will of Lufthansa said the entry rates for flights are EUR10 (about Rs 800). Emirates has plans ranging from $4.99 to $10.99 (Rs 335-736), according to its website. The rates are cheaper if the passenger is a member of the frequent flyer club. There are offers, too. Singapore Airlines, for example, has an ongoing offer for 24-hour Wi-Fi connectivity at SGD23-SGD25 (Rs 1,147-1,247), according to its website.
To Read the News in Full 02/05/18 Anirban Chowdhury/Mihir Mishra/Economic Times
“It’s a welcome decision. Lufthansa doesn’t offer call services but we do offer data services,” said Wolfgang Will, a senior director at the German airline. “Right now, an aircraft has to fly out of Indian airspace for connectivity to be activated. After this approval, there is a possibility of providing passengers with the services within the Indian airspace too. We shall definitely look at it.”
Singapore Airlines offers in-flight connectivity on Airbus A380, A350 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft through SITA ONAIR and Panasonic. “Coverage for in-flight connectivity services are dependent on the approvals obtained by service providers,” said a spokesperson at the airline. Getting approvals will now likely be easy following decision of the Telecom Commission, the highest decision-making body in the telecom department, to allow the service.
“Great that India has finally taken this grand decision after 15 long years when technology was first demonstrated,” said Mark Martin, founder of Dubai-based Martin Consulting. “But it remains to be seen at what price it will come to consumers. These are satellite calls. It will obviously be akin to roaming rates. It will be interesting to see how the consumer can absorb it,” he added.
Globally, rates offered by airlines vary as per route, aircraft and class. Will of Lufthansa said the entry rates for flights are EUR10 (about Rs 800). Emirates has plans ranging from $4.99 to $10.99 (Rs 335-736), according to its website. The rates are cheaper if the passenger is a member of the frequent flyer club. There are offers, too. Singapore Airlines, for example, has an ongoing offer for 24-hour Wi-Fi connectivity at SGD23-SGD25 (Rs 1,147-1,247), according to its website.
To Read the News in Full 02/05/18 Anirban Chowdhury/Mihir Mishra/Economic Times
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