'Mobile-phone use on planes should come about in 2 years'

Mumbai: Intelsat, the world's largest commercial satellite communications services provider, is investing in a second satellite in India. David Ball, its vice-president (Asia-Pacific), who was in India recently to attend the first meeting of the board of the council of governors of the cable and satellite broadcasters association of Asia (CASBAA), spoke to on industry-related issues in an exclusive chat. Excerpts:
Are you doing anything that will make mobile communication available on planes?
Yes, we are working with a number of players on that. There was an initiative earlier on mobile connectivity on the flight, but because of terrorist activity and the sharp decline in the aviation industry, that product did not take off. The new technology is expected to come about in the next two to three years. There have been trials already for say, Blackberry access on planes. And you will see more and more of that.
Are you in talks with any Indian airline for mobile communication technology?
Not presently.
And internationally?
Yes, we are in talks with some of the major international airline companies. But I can't name them.
What will be the cost of the mobile connectivity service on plane?
We have not determined that yet. Our service will cost less than the existing narrowband service, and will offer high capability.
28/09/09 Nivedita Mookerji/Daily News & Analysis

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Categories: Foreign Sep 2009, New Sep 2009