In-flight Wi-Fi: Flyers may have to pay between Rs 500-Rs 1,000 to make calls, surf

Domestic airlines expect that flyers, if they use internet services over Indian territory, would have to pay anything between Rs 500 to Rs 1000 on flights for a period lasting 3 to 60 minutes. Although in-flight Wi-Fi services are yet to be introduced in the country, the countries that have provided these facilities charge about 4.5 dollars (Rs 350) for using 10 mb internet data.

Trai chairman RS Sharma on his part said, "Users have to pay for using Wi-Fi, but tariffs will be decided by the service provider, TRAI will not interfere with it." Image source: Reuters

With the Telecom Commission approving the proposal to allow mobile phone calls and internet services in domestic and international flights in India, flyers would soon be able to enjoy these much-needed facilities in mid-air. However, it will turn out to be a costly exercise for them as the rates that may well be charged will likely sit heavy on everyone's pockets and could even serve as a deterrent.

Domestic airlines expect that flyers, if they use internet services over Indian territory, would have to pay anything between Rs 500 to Rs 1000 on flights for a period lasting 3 to 60 minutes. Although in-flight Wi-Fi services are yet to be introduced in the country, the countries that have provided these facilities charge about 4.5 dollars (Rs 350) for using 10 mb internet data.

Significantly, Trai chairman RS Sharma on his part said, "Users have to pay for using Wi-Fi, but tariffs will be decided by the service provider, TRAI will not interfere with it." In effect, there is not likely to be any cap enforced on rates for using these services.

Globally, only a few airlines including Aeroflot, Air Asia, Air France, British Airways and Emirates, are providing these services but they charge a hefty amount for the same.

In an interview on Wednesday, Ajay Singh, CMD Spicejet, said that his airline would be the first to offer in-flight connectivity facility to its passengers in India.

Telecom Commission, the highest decision making body in the Telecom department, had recently approved Trai's recommendations on internet telephony.

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The expected charges for in-flight wifi usage, as per eDreams, cost as much as Rs 3350 for 150 mb on Aeroflot, Rs 302 for 10 mb on Air Asia, Rs 2412 for 200 mb on Air France, Rs 2144 for whole journey on British Airways, and Rs 1071 for 500 mb on Emirates.

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