(a) whether the government has allowed in-flight Wi-Fi services in planes across the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any rules have been put into place for the same and if so, the details thereof;
(c)whether any licenses have been issued for operating such a service and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether any measures have been taken to ensure that this service does not have adverse security implications and if so, the details thereof?
The Minister of State (IC) in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Hardeep Singh Puri)
(a) to (c) Department of Telecommunication, Ministry of Communications has issued "Flight and Maritime Connectivity Rules, 2018" which permit the inflight internet services through WiFi.
Accordingly, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has drafted amendment of Rule 29 B of Aircraft Rules, 1937 for permitting the use of internet services through WiFi during the flight when electronic devices are kept in airplane mode and above 3000 meters in Indian airspace.
(d) The draft amendment of Rule 29 B also caters for the safety of aircraft operations when internet services are used in an aircraft during flight.