SkyFive India Receives Inflight & Maritime Connectivity License
SkyFive India has been granted the Inflight & Maritime Connectivity (IFMC) license by India's Ministry of Telecommunications, enabling the company to provide Air-to-Ground (A2G) broadband services to Indian airlines for 10 years. This marks a pioneering step for inflight connectivity in India, leveraging cost-effective cellular technology to deliver secure, high-throughput internet onboard domestic flights.
SkyFive India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of German-based SkyFive AG, has become the first company in India to receive an IFMC license, authorizing it to deploy Air-to-Ground (A2G) connectivity services for aircraft within India for the next decade. The IFMC license was issued by the Ministry of Telecommunications as part of efforts to enhance inflight broadband access in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. Unlike legacy costly satellite systems, the A2G technology employs a network of ground base stations with antennas aimed skyward, requiring only a small antenna on the aircraft to connect. This technology offers significant cost reductions and delivers high throughput by leveraging the existing cellular mobile ecosystem. The network operates exclusively within the Indian territory, ensuring data sovereignty and security. SkyFive India aims to democratize in-flight internet access across the country, facilitating seamless passenger connectivity and real-time data transmission for airlines. The company plans to extend the success seen in terrestrial mobile broadband to inflight environments, thereby supporting the digital transformation of India’s aviation sector. SkyFive AG is globally recognized for its A2G technology, and its Indian subsidiary was established in 2024 to adapt and implement this solution for India’s unique market needs.
