No More Flight Mode Travellers Can Soon Use Phones On Indian Airlines

In what is a first for the Indian aviation market, the usage of mobile phones and data will be allowed on Indian flights. According to &nbspZee Biz, the Telecom department has almost finalised the connectivity license norms. As per the report, airlines, if they so choose, can offer mobile phone calls, internet services and even onboard wi-fi to passengers in India from October.

Earlier in May, the Telecom Commission had cleared a proposal by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to lift the restriction on in-flight connectivity in Indian aviation. The status was that they will work on the earliest implementation of the proposal. The minimum height at which the services would be allowed were suggested to be about 3000 metres above ground level, which an aircraft attains within 4-5 minutes of takeoff.

Many airlines around the world such as British Airways, Qatar Airways, Virgin Atlantic, for example, allow mobile phone while several others have onboard wi-fi services. &nbspIndia, however, has till now not allowed this as the phones&rsquo frequency interferes with the aircraft communications. Currently, phone can be used on flight mode, and other electronics that do not interfere with the communications such as kindle, laptop, tablets, etc. are allowed after take-off and before landing. &nbspJet Airways is the only airline in India that offers in-flight entertainment services current as part of JetScreen, where you can stream audio and video content on your device from their library.

If the proposal finally does take off as slated, you can wave goodbye to being bored on a flight, or alternately, to a few hours of peace. &nbspWhat&rsquos your take