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Logan airport to continue offering free Wi-Fi
Boston's Logan airport has voted to continue to offer free Wi-Fi. The service had been free since Google sponsored it during the Holiday season. Now, the addition of free Wi-Fi is certainly nice, but not really newsworthy. What makes this piece of news more interesting is that it puts an end to a long battle the airport operator had with others that offered Wi-Fi at "their" airport.
Back in 2005, Massport got rather upset when they realized that Continental Airlines was offering complimentary Wi-Fi in their club lounge. Of course, the airport claimed that the Continental system could interfere with the airport wide system.
What they really meant, was that they were annoyed that Continental offered free Wi-Fi, taking away revenue from the overpriced Airport system (at $7.95 per day).
In the end, Continental told the airport operator to take a hike, and got the FCC involved. Since Wi-Fi is in open unlicensed spectrum, the FCC agreed that Massport could not demand anything from Continental.
We are now five years past that incident, and the airport has probably made its multi-million Dollar investment back, which means anyone at Logan can finally enjoy free Wi-Fi without having to pay a penny. Fingers crossed other airports in the country pay attention.
Filed under: Airports
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nick Jan 21st 2010 3:31PM
With so many aspects of our daily life revolving around and dependent on the internet and e-communication, airports (and other busy public places) will have to inevitably accept the fact that provision of free wi-fi access is no different from providing other basic amenities like seating, sanitation or drinking water. And it can be a win-win for the airports too! In the international airports of some foreign countries that provide free servie, I have seen that the airport earns revenue through internet advertising (eg. a few quick, short commercials when you connect your laptop to the network, a scrolling bar of banner ads at the bottom/corner of the screen, etc.).
Chung Jan 21st 2010 6:07PM
Good move on Logan airport's part!
In this day and age, internet access should be the equivalent of electricity, bathrooms, water, etc. Part of the basic service offered to the public.
I hope more airports follow Logan airport's footstep.