NEW DELHI: India’s aviation regulator has framed draft rules for allowing inflight internet connectivity in the country’s skies. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) draft rules say “internet service through WiFi on-board aircraft shall be available at minimum height of 3,000 metres or 10,000 feet above departure/arrival airfield elevation.”
The portable electronic devices being used by passengers for surfing the net must be “used only in flight/airplane mode” and the “pilot in command may, for any reason and during any phase of flight, require deactivation and stowage of PEDs,” say the draft rules issued by DGCA chief Arun Kumar.
Based on pubic comments received on the draft, the final set of rules could be issued by later this year. India had in December 2018 allowed inflight connectivity (IFC) on flights to, from, within India as well as those overflying the country. Since then at least two Indian companies entered this space to become in flight and maritime connectivity (IFMC) service providers.
