Airtel to provide seamless uninterrupted In-Flight connectivity

Member operators, including Airtel, will be able to continuously provide their customers via satellite technology, the same high speed, low latency connectivity from ground, to air and back again. It will also significantly reduce costs for everyone involved while creating a smooth, positive user-experience.

The formation of 'Seamless Alliance' was announced today in Barcelona. Other founding members include OneWeb, Airbus, Delta and Sprint. The global alliance, which aims to attract additional industry operators beyond the five founding members will eliminate the immense costs and hurdles commonly associated with acquisition, installation, and operation of data access infrastructure by streamlining system integration and certification, providing open specifications for interoperability, increasing accessibility for passengers, and enabling simple and integrated billing.

Gopal Vittal, MD & CEO of Bharti Airtel for India and South Asia said, "We are delighted to be a founding member of this innovative technology platform to bring seamless connectivity to customers in the true sense. Over 370 million mobile customers across Airtel's global network will be able to enjoy uninterrupted access to high speed data services even while they are in-flight. We look forward to collaborating with all partner members to ensure this platform goes LIVE at the earliest."

Airtel is the third largest mobile operator in the world with operations in 16 countries across Asia and Africa.

"What if the best internet you ever experienced was in the air? Keeping this goal in mind, together, we will enable an affordable and frictionless experience for passengers everywhere," said Greg Wyler, Founder and Executive Chairman of OneWeb.

"Easy-to-use, high-speed connectivity is part of the next revolution in aerospace," said Marc Fontaine, Airbus Digital Transformation Officer. "We know that Delta customers have an expectation that their internet connection just works ? no matter where they are in their travel journey" said Gil West, SEVP & COO.

"With our 5G network rolling out next year we're investing heavily to make sure our customers have the best mobile Internet experience possible," said Dow Draper, Chief Commercial Officer, Sprint.