The government has permitted all Indian airlines to provide inflight Wi-Fi service to their passengers. This is the first time a service like this is provided in India.
Till now only 30 Airlines in the world are providing this service and now its India’s turn. But, there are certain procedures that both the airlines and the government need to follow to provide this service to the passengers.
The pilot alone has the authority to give access to the inflight Wi-Fi to their passengers on their request through inboard. For availing this, the passengers need to use the service by putting their laptops, mobile phones, and all other electronic devices in flight mode. Inflight Wi-Fi connectivity uses two kinds of technologies. One is terrestrial Internet services and the other is satellite-based internet services.
As soon as the passenger turns his flight mode ON, the mobile gets connected to the flight’s antenna. The antenna then links to the terrestrial Internet services provided by the Telecom companies.
Soon after the flight reaches a maximum height of 3000 meters, the antenna then gets connected to the internet service provided by the satellite. So, there won’t be any breakage in the internet services even when the flight changes its altitude timely.
But still, there are some challenges that need to face by the airline and the telecom companies.
- Airlines will have to bear the initial cost of installing antennae on aircraft. So, the additional cost could find a way into ticket prices.
- Apart from the equipment, airlines will have to bear additional fuel costs, given the extra weight and drag aircraft will face due to the antenna.
- Technology and laws allow calls to be made from aircraft, but many airlines do not want noisy cabins.