Logan officials award deal to install WiFi

By Peter J. Howe, Globe Staff, 9/22/2003

Officials at Boston's Logan International Airport have picked two technology companies to install WiFi high-speed wireless Internet access service in the airport's three domestic terminals. They hope to have the service in operation before next July's Democratic National Convention in Boston.

Logan officials envision charging $6 or $7 per day for access in terminals B, C, and D, with a specialized Web portal offering quick access to information about the airport, flight schedules, and Greater Boston transportation and tourist information. They also hope to have national WiFi providers such as T-Mobile, Wayport, and Boingo negotiate deals for their subscribers to get free access to the service.

WiFi, which is short for wireless fidelity, offers Net access for laptop and handheld computers with special receivers at speeds of up to 11 megabits per second within roughly the 300-foot radius of transmitting gear.

The joint venture of Miami-based Electronic Media Systems Inc. and TWI Interactive of Boston and London will put up $1.3 million to install WiFi equipment offering coverage throughout virtually all publicly accessible areas of the terminals.

Their five-year contract guarantees minimum annual payments to the Massachusetts Port Authority, which runs Logan, starting at $200,000 the first year and rising to $300,000 in the fifth, up to a maximum of 20 percent of annual gross revenues, which could exceed $1 million annually.

The EMS-TWI venture was chosen -- based on the revenue guarantees and a Massport review of technical capabilities -- from a field of five competitors. Other companies that bid were AT&T Wireless Services, Sprint PCS, T-Mobile, and Wayport. "There was an excellent response, and we got five good proposals," said Francis Anglin, Massport's director of information technology.

Anglin said the EMS-IMG team's experience includes establishing WiFi service for big events including the Wimbledon tennis tournament in England and major European golf tournaments, as well as expertise in designing specialized local portals for WiFi users. TWI Interactive is a unit of IMG, a major multinational firm representing professional athletes and entertainers.

Anglin said Massport is still considering what to charge for the service, but noted that many US airports charge $6 or $7 a day, which Logan would likely seek to match. Customers with WiFi-equipped computers would be able to sign up for service on the spot with a credit card.

WiFi coverage is being installed in the international Terminal E under a separate contract and is expected to be launched this winter, Anglin said.

Besides offering air travelers and airport visitors high-speed Net access, the network will also be available for use by Massport officials for security and property-management functions, and to airlines for secured networks used to process baggage and direct preflight operations.

Limited WiFi service is already available at some Logan locations, including AirTran's Terminal D gates and American Airlines' Admirals Club and lounge in Terminal B, according to HotSpotList.com, an online directory.

Peter J. Howe can be reached at howe@globe.com.