NEW DELHI: Air travellers will be able to access onboard WiFi in Indian airspace only when personal electronic devices (PED) are allowed to be used. Govt had in Dec 2018 allowed “internet service through WiFi on-board aircraft at a minimum height of 3,000 metres or 10,000 feet above departure/arrival airfield elevation.” The minimum altitude of 3,000 metres was to avoid interference with terrestrial mobile networks.
The telecom department last Monday (Oct 28) issued a notification titled “Flight and Maritime Connectivity (Amendment) Rules, 2024,” saying: “…Notwithstanding the minimum height in Indian airspace…. internet services through Wi-Fi in aircraft shall be made available when electronic devices are permitted to be used in the aircraft…. come(s) into force on the date of their publication in the official gazette.”
This notification reinforces the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) rules regarding “safety hazard - use of PEDs inside flight”, which were issued in Nov 2020 and state: “…The pilot-in-command may for any reason and during any phase of flight require deactivation and stowage of PEDs.”
As of now Vistara is the only Indian carrier that provides onboard WiFi and Air India also plans to do so. Several leading foreign airlines flying to India and overflying India also provide this service.
Among other things, DGCA rules require airlines to “identify safety hazards and manage associated risks for the use of internet services through Wi-Fi by PEDs. The risk assessment should include hazards associated with: PEDs in different aircraft zones; PED use during various phases of flight; PED use during turbulence; improperly stowed PEDs; impended or slowed evacuations; passenger non-compliance, (like) not deactivating transmitting functions; not switching off PEDs or not stowing PEDs properly; disruptive passengers and battery fire.
The telecom department last Monday (Oct 28) issued a notification titled “Flight and Maritime Connectivity (Amendment) Rules, 2024,” saying: “…Notwithstanding the minimum height in Indian airspace…. internet services through Wi-Fi in aircraft shall be made available when electronic devices are permitted to be used in the aircraft…. come(s) into force on the date of their publication in the official gazette.”
This notification reinforces the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) rules regarding “safety hazard - use of PEDs inside flight”, which were issued in Nov 2020 and state: “…The pilot-in-command may for any reason and during any phase of flight require deactivation and stowage of PEDs.”
As of now Vistara is the only Indian carrier that provides onboard WiFi and Air India also plans to do so. Several leading foreign airlines flying to India and overflying India also provide this service.
Among other things, DGCA rules require airlines to “identify safety hazards and manage associated risks for the use of internet services through Wi-Fi by PEDs. The risk assessment should include hazards associated with: PEDs in different aircraft zones; PED use during various phases of flight; PED use during turbulence; improperly stowed PEDs; impended or slowed evacuations; passenger non-compliance, (like) not deactivating transmitting functions; not switching off PEDs or not stowing PEDs properly; disruptive passengers and battery fire.
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