The department will formulate a framework to enable carriers to collaborate with wireless network operators to roll out the services, said Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundararajan.
Travellers over Indian airspace will be able to make calls and access Internet during flights in the next three months. The Telecom Commission, the department's highest decision-making body, has approved a proposal for in-flight connectivity, a top telecom department official said on Tuesday.
The department will formulate a framework to enable carriers to collaborate with wireless network operators to roll out the services, said Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundararajan.
Globally, many airlines offer WiFi services on board and charge depending upon usage.
In January, telecom regulator Trai had recommended allowing mobile phone calls and Internet services, including WiFi, on domestic and international flights in India. The services would be permitted with a minimum height restriction of 3,000 metres for its compatibility with terrestrial mobile networks in line with recommendations of the regulator, it had said.
"We have to create the category of licensee called in-flight connectivity provider. It will be providing Internet as well as voice service within India territorial airspace on domestic as well as international flights. It will also apply to ships," Sundararajan said.
The government will charge Re 1 as a token price for the licence. "The government will frame the licence and invite applications and will expedite the process. We expect it to be operational in the next 3-4 months."
In another decision, the Commission approved setting up of an ombudsman for the telecom sector to strengthen grievance redressal system. The government will amend the Trai Act to grant enough powers to the regulator to formulate it, said the telecom secretary.
About 10 million complaints from telecom users are received every quarter. However, the amendment in the Trai Act would need an approval from Parliament. The government expects to place it for approval in the next session.
Under the existing mechanism, a telecom service provider resolves consumer complaints at their level and then it comes to the portal of the department of telecommunications. But, it has not been satisfactory.
Under the new set-up, a three-tier mechanism is being proposed where the telecom service provider will resolve it in the first step. If not satisfied, a user can knock on the doors of consumer grievance redressal forum before reaching the ombudsman as the last resort.
"Trai can decide on whether to have one ombudsman per TSP or per region, it can be created as they deem necessary," she said, adding even the penalty system if any will be worked out by the regulator.
Hemant Joshi, a telecom analyst at Deloitte India, said the setting up of the ombudsman is a milestone. "However, one will have to see how the implementation will take place given there are over a billion mobile users. Also, in-flight connectivity is a commendable move but what happens to noise levels in the plane and its impact on travellers which remain to be seen and resolved."
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