Tuesday brought a big smile on the face of Indian flyers and those flying over the country, who will now be able to use both WIFI and mobile services on-board.

The highest decision making body Telecom commission approved the proposal by Department of Telecommunication (DoT) to introduce in-flight connectivity. The flyers will be able to use the services within three to four months’ time.

Earlier, the DoT had sought help from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on licensing terms and conditions for provision of voice, data and video services.

“With this, the airlines can offer voice and data services in India Airspace once an aircraft reaches an altitude of 3000 metres. In line with earlier decision of Committee of Secretaries, In-Flight voice and data services shall be provided through Indian Satellites or through satellites approved by Department of Space for communication purposes, with gateways in India,” said an official release.

A separate category of licensee will also be called for In-Flight connectivity provider, which will be created with a token license fee of Re. 1. Such facility of voice and data connectivity shall also be extended to ships and other moving vehicles (Earth Stations in Motion) in near future.

The systems on these e-enabled aircrafts will transmit data from Indian satellite or ground-based communication networks or satellites approved by Department of Space.