Live radio, TV in Air India's new fleet

NEW DELHI: One can enjoy live radio and television transmission inside an Air India aircraft after it gets the new fleet of Boeing 777s next year.
    
Air India's holding company, National Aviation Company of India Limited (NACIL), has decided to have satellite radio and live TV transmission in 23 B 777-200 (Long Range) and B 777-300 (Extended range) planes and floated global tenders for the purpose, official sources said.
    
The Satellite Radio System installation is to be integrated with existing flight entertainment (IFE) system so that the reception of Satellite Radio (Audio content) is available to the passengers on their seats as a set of selectable channels.
    
Similary, select audio-visual channels available on satellite television channels would also have to be integrated with the Thales IFE system.
    
Bids have been invited from international companies for the installation of certified systems capable of operating on aircraft during flight as well as on ground.
    
Such facilities have not yet been introduced in the fleets of most of the major global airlines. Test flights are also being carried out by aircraft manufacturers to have mobile telephony on board.