The government has awarded a Swiss company the job for establishing internet connectivity to all incoming and outbound aircraft in Bangladesh, a senior official said.
Switzerland-based OnAir powered by Airbus, a leading aircraft manufacturer, and SITA, another IT solution provider to the air-transport world, has got the networking work. Â
After giving approval to the proposal of the Swiss firm, the telecom regulator has already issued 'demand note' to it for next course of action. Â
 "We've already issued a 'demand note' in favour of the company to launch the in-flight internet facilities for the aircraft in the country," said Md Sarwar Alam, Director of the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
He told the FE that the authorities had given the permission to establish internet facilities under some terms and conditions. "Once the connection is given, the air passengers will enjoy only data service across the country."
The authorities have decided not to allow in-flight voice-telephony service right now.
The official said the onboard internet facilities will be available when the jets will fly above 3000m height within the country's airspace. "To avoid any unwanted occurrence, the authorities won't allow the service during landing and takeoff of the flights," he added.
He hoped that OnAir will start its journey in Bangladesh soon after fulfillment of the given stipulations under the BTRC-issued demand note. He, however, didn't disclose the terms and conditions binding the task of establishing data-service facilities for the air passengers.
The foreign firm, OnAir, usually enables the passengers with the internet from their laptops, tablets and Smartphones over Wi-Fi by simply launching their browser as they would in any hotspot.
"We know that the vast majority of the airline passengers usually carry a Smartphone or tablet or other such kind of electronic devices and they could ensure best utilization of the modern technologies," Mr Alam noted.
 The BTRC official said all of the developed and majority of the developing countries are providing such facilities for the jet goers to make their traveling pleasant.
"OnAir's onboard GSM and Wi-Fi networks mean passengers can tweet, email, send text messages, browse internet during air travel," he added.
The company usually provides a customised passenger interface which is highly intuitive and compatible with all device types, regardless of brand, screen size and operating systems.
It also provides a multilingual homepage that guides them through the process.
The company will receive major credit cards in exchange for the internet use. "In addition, once the initiatives executed, the country could fetch a sizable amount of currency from the travelers," the BTRC director said.
The service providers could provide customer's content-filtering to block access to specific websites, if the authorities feel it risky.
BD airspace to get Wi-Fi as Swiss co bags contract
Khairul Islam | Published: August 13, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00
Share if you like