FCC Backs Airline's Free Wi-Fi at Logan International Airport

By Jeremy Pelofsky

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Continental Airlines won a battle to offer high-speed Internet service in its frequent flier club at Boston Logan International Airport, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission ruled on Wednesday.

The FCC ruled against the Massachusetts Port Authority, or Massport, which ordered airlines in 2005 to unplug their wireless and wireline high-speed Internet services in their lounges and instead use the airport's fee-based system.

"Today's decision ensures that the Wi-Fi bands remain free and open to travellers, who can make productive use of their time while waiting to catch their next flight in an airport," FCC Commissioner Michael Copps said in a statement.

A spokeswoman for MassPort was not immediately available for comment.

Massport argued that Continental's free service would interfere with its network, raise safety concerns and violate lease agreements. Continental appealed to the FCC.

The airline was backed by the industry, wireless providers and cargo shippers like United Parcel Service.

The FCC agreed in its ruling that the agency's Over-the-Air Reception Devices regulations allowed airlines to offer the Wi-Fi service.

Wireless communications provider T-Mobile USA withdrew its service from American Airlines' lounge at Boston airport in response to Massport's objections. Copyright Reuters 2006.

NOTE: For more telecom/internet/networking/computer news from the daily media, check out our feature 'Telecom Digest Extra' each day at

formatting link
. Hundreds of new articles daily. And, discuss this and other topics in our forum at
formatting link
(or)
formatting link
For more news and headlines, please go to:
formatting link

Reply to
Jeremy Pelofsky
Loading thread data ...

Cabling-Design.com Forums website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.