Inflight Wi-Fi

Science & Tech

Topic: General Studies 3:

• Science & Technology – developments and their applications and effects in everyday life
• Awareness in the fields of IT

Inflight Wi-Fi

Context

Domestic aircraft carrier Vistara will be the first to offer inflight Wi-Fi by March-end. As of now, only data services will be offered and voice calls could be introduced later

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 20th February 2020

What is in-flight connectivity?

• In-flight connectivity essentially allows those onboard aircraft to access voice, video and data services after the aircraft has attained an altitude of 3,000 meters. 
• In-flight connectivity for aircraft flying over Indian airspace was approved by the DoT in May 2018.

How does in-flight connectivity work?

• It relies on onboard antenna as well as satellites for Internet and mobile communications.
• Onboard Antenna
  • Here, signals are picked from the nearest tower on the ground.
  • However, the connection does become an issue after a certain altitude if the aircraft is passing over an area with no towers, say a large water body.
• Through Satellite
  • It works in a manner similar to how satellite TV signals are transmitted. 
  • So, an onboard router, which connects to the plane’s antenna transmits data to a personal electronic device. 
  • The signals are then transmitted to ground station via satellites and is redirected to a billing server for calculation of the data consumption. 
  • Finally, the signal is relayed to the World Wide Web.

Onboard Wifi

• While the telecom commission has allowed Internet services onboard, the telecom operator has said it will be made available when devices are used only on flight mode. 
• Internet services, hence, could only be used through onboard WiFi as of now.

Cost of in-flight connectivity 

• The airlines are free to decide the tariff, as the DoT has not regulated that aspect
• Globally, given the high cost of satellite connectivity, the internet services available onboard aircraft are charged at a premium over what is available otherwise
• The airlines will have to incur high cost of installing equipment, including the installation of antennae on aircraft, increased fuel cost due to extra weight- all these additional cost could find a way into ticket prices. 

What about mobile communication Services?

• Even as the process to streamline broadband services onboard flights has been initiated, mobile communication on airlines (MCA) might still take time to be a reality.
• The TRAI, had, however, recommended that both broadband and MCA should be allowed over Indian airspace.
• Several stakeholders had raised concerns over providing MCA to passengers citing a complex regulatory framework with issues such as interference, roaming, and spectrum use. 
• Also, with in-flight broadband connectivity allowing messaging services and voice calling, there is little requirement to speed up MCA

However, some of the challenges with regard to inflight connectivity includes 

• Relatively slow speeds of Internet
• Security risks due to possible interference with flight communication systems.
• Expensive service which may increase the flight ticket price