Indian flyers can soon make phone calls, surf the net

ISRO is planning to provide in-flight connectivity by the latter half of this year

India Space Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Chairman Kailasavadivoo Sivan addresses a press conference at their headquarters in Bangalore | AP

Please switch off your mobiles or put them in flight mode may soon become a redundant announcement for the air hostess. 

ISRO, with a series of satellites, is planning to provide in-flight connectivity for flyers by the latter half of this year. 

Speaking at a special briefing, ISRO Chairman K. Sivan announced that with the injection of further communication satellites into orbit, the government's Digital India mission would get a boost as these satellites will facilitate in-flight calls for mobile. 

With the GSAT 20, to be launched in August, along with the GSAT 19 and 11, the communication network will provide faster connectivity for Jammu and Kashmir as well as the northeast region.