New Delhi: All airlines in India are interested in offering Wi-Fi on board but the pricing has to be right in order to ensure uptake in the country, according to connectivity solutions provider SITA ONAIR.
The telecom regulatory body, TRAI, in its recommendations to the government recently allowed in-flight mobile telephony and Internet services but after providing a mechanism for lawful interception and monitoring of Wi-Fi in aircraft cabins to ensure safety.
SITA ONAIR s General Counsel, Oliver Drennan, told PTI in an interview that it is unlikely that the cost of accessing Internet in an aircraft would be as high as 20-30 per cent of the airfare.
Anybody who offers the service for a price that is unaffordable is not going to make it successful. Many ask why someone would offer in-flight connectivity for Rs 500 for a session when the ticket costs Rs 2,500. My answer is that I would not offer it at that price, said Drennan.
SITA ONAIR has been part of public consultations conducted by TRAI and has also been in talks with airlines for making in-flight Wi-Fi available. It is the aircraft business arm of SITA which is the IT solutions provider for the air transport industry globally.
SITA ONAIR has tied-up with satellite communication provider Inmarsat for providing in-flight broadband service. Drennan said airlines could look at different price modules to make the service available for their passengers, which could vary from free usage for all flyers to pay-per-use model.