BSNL seeks to deploy Indian Avionics Network

State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has sought government approval to set up the Indian Avionics Network (IAN) with as much as 500 base trans-receiver stations (BTS) much needed to offer in-flight connectivity (IFC) to air passengers.

“We have already written to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to provide Indian Avionics Network for broadband connectivity in flights,” BSNL chairman Anupam Shrivastava told ETTelecom, adding that the telco having partnered with Inmarsat is well-poised to offer IFC services.

In 2017, the UK-based satellite communications company Inmarsat had entered into an alliance with BSNL to open Indian GSPS (global satellite phone service) gateway for telephony services to public and private companies as well as individuals.

The Committee of Secretaries (CoS) has recently allowed the Indian-origin satellites and gateways to offer communication services to air travelers while the country’s telecom regulator has recommended opening up of airspace to foreign satellites for providing onboard Internet services.

The state-driven telco, however, advocates a policy regime for a pan India avionics network much similar to the European Aviation Network— where the Deutsche Telekom and Inmarsat have recently deployed ground infrastructure for the hybrid satellite and telecom network with 300 LTE (Long-Term Evolution) towers.

“BSNL has already done a preliminary estimation and come to know that nearly 500 base stations will be required to cover major flight routes,” Shrivastava said.

The proposed network, however, would offer connectivity to Indian airspace through a combination of telecom infrastructure and satellite-driven bandwidth, provided by Inmarsat.

There is a provision to cover flight paths through on-ground stations which according to the top executive, would radiate vertically upwards and supplemented by satellite so that air passengers could stay connected.

India’s fourth-largest public sector telco with widest telecom network, however, sees IFC services as a mega business opportunity with a competitive edge over rivals— reeling under a debt of nearly Rs 7 lakh crore.

BSNL’s satellite business is faring well, and according to him, it was one of the fastest growing verticals within the telecom company’s enterprise segment with close to 1000% growth over the last year.

“We have touched a figure of 4,500 satellite phone customers,” Shrivastava said, adding that hotel chains are showing a keen interest in buying satellite phones, as a part of their hospitality business while defense sector, police personnel, and disaster management agencies remain core service takers.

The telco, however, aims to sell as many as 10,000 satellite phones by March 31, 2019.