High-speed internet on air

UK satellite firm Inmarsat Holdings Ltd has got the approval to sell high-speed broadband to planes and shipping vessels

Inmarsat will access the market via state-owned BSNL.

BSNL received a license from India’s Department of Telecommunications, the London-based company said.

Inmarsat has struck deals with SpiceJet and the Shipping Corp of India.

Inmarsat already offers reliable but low-data “L-band” services in India.

It can now offer much faster 4G-like “Ka-band” broadband on its GX network.

Inmarsat’s connectivity comes from satellites in geostationary orbit.

It will compete with low-earth-orbit satellite rivals like Space Exploration Technologies Corp and OneWeb.