Tata group’s Nelco is about to restructure its tariff plans. Frequent flyers may have to spend more for IFC services.

Tata Group’s Nelco is amidst plans to release new tariffs for in-flight connectivity. Now those of you who access social media and use the internet during flying will have to look out for the new rates that are soon to be released.

Let’s hear what Nelco managing director PJ Nath has to say regarding the new plans.

“Tariff plans are still a work in progress, and once the domestic market opens up for IFC, there will be different models which will come up… some will be built into the price of a ticket, while some will be charged separately.“

Currently, the company is working out the pricing strategy with the stakeholders involved.

“The aviation sector has not done well due to Covid, and so IFC has not been a priority for airlines… but it will take off as staying connected always is a way of life today. Tariff will vary from one carrier to another in terms of how they want to start the service in the country,” he said.

As of now, Nelco is the only provider for IFC- in-flight connectivity services in the country. It obtained an In-Flight & Maritime Communications (IFMC) licence. In September 2019 after which the company entered the arena of maritime communications.

“Globally, people don’t do much of voice calls in flight but use data services mostly… we will offer whatever the customer wants,” Nath mentioned.

Nelco has a gateway in Mumbai and works with Panasonic Avionics to provide uninterrupted IFC services in India. Operating two teleports in Mumbai and Dehradun, the company is all up for creating means to stay connected high up in the skies.

Like all other industries, aviation has also taken a bad hit due to the pandemic. So it seems to be a necessity to increase the tariffs. However, we will have to wait and see how the talks go and what the final rates will look like. Although such communication companies have the right to choose what to offer, it depends on the airlines also.