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It is learnt that a decision on the need of an ombudsman to address grievances of aggrieved telecom consumers is also in the pipeline Telecom Commission, the highest decision making body of
the Department of Telecommunications, is scheduled to meet on Tuesday to take a final call on important issues including in-flight data connectivity, net neutrality, approval to BSNL for
allotment of 4G spectrum. It is learnt that a decision on the need of an ombudsman to address grievances of aggrieved telecom consumers is also in the pipeline. Besides, an approval method
for allocation of spectrum bands -- E and V -- which are capable of transmitting data at 1,000 megabit per second is also likely to be considered. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
has already submitted its recommendations on the most of the issues which will be taken up in the meeting. Under the current norms, flyers are not allowed to use mobile phones/data services
over the Indian airspace due to security reasons. If the proposal for in-flight connectivity is approved, flyers in India as well as those flying over the country will be able to make voice
calls and access data services through WIFI on board an aircraft. In January this year Trai had recommended the creation of an in-flight connectivity (IFC) service provider for IFC services
at an annual licence fee of only Re1 initially, after entering into an arrangement with telecom licence holders. IFC providers should be permitted to use either Insat (Indian Satellite
System, or foreign satellite capacity leased through the department of space) or foreign satellites outside Insat systems in Indian airspace. Internet services through in-flight Wi-Fi should
be made available when electronic devices are permitted to be used, Trai had recommended. Net neutrality, which has been in the limelight for long, may become a reality if Trai's
recommendations are approved. Last year, in November, Trai had that the service providers should be restricted from entering into any arrangement that has the effect of discriminatory
treatment based on content, sender or receiver, protocols or user equipment. Issues including ease of doing business, machine to machine communication and regulatory framework for internet
telephony may also come up for discussion in the Telecom Commission meeting on Tuesday.