Free WiFi? Not in my airport.

Iria · Jan 2, 2006, 10:24 PM

Who knew that free WiFi was such a magnet for legal problems? Until now, most of the problems with free WiFi came about because it was governments that proposed to offer it in places like New Orleans and Philadelphia. The local telcos have been less than pleased by such moves, which they see as unwarranted government interference into the market. Despite opposition, most of these plans are going forward anyway, with governments arguing that Internet access can be likened to a utility, and they should be able to offer it to everyone in town.

The newest legal challenge to free WiFi isn't coming from the telcos, however, but from Logan International Airport, which is on a mission to ban the airlines from offering free wireless internet access in their terminals and lounges. The Massachusetts Port Authority ("Massport"), the airport's management body, has shut down WiFi service in lounges run by both Contental and American, and ordered Delta not to turn on the WiFi equipment that it was installing in a new terminal.

The reason, of course, is security. Massport inists that it needs to devote time and effort to monitoring WiFi access points to ensure that they do not negatively interfere with airline and security communications. Of course, it's just a coincidence that Massport installed its own WiFi network at Logan in 2004, for which it charges customers US$8 a day. Its own system is apparently in no danger of interfering with communications, though free systems installed by the airlines might be.
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Read More / Source: Ars Technica

Jan 2, 2006, 10:24 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 74	Free WiFi? Not in my airport. Who knew that free WiFi was such a magnet for legal problems? Until now, most of the problems with free WiFi came about because it was governments that proposed to offer it in places like New Orleans and Philadelphia. The local telcos have been less than pleased by such moves, which they see as unwarranted government interference into the market. Despite opposition, most of these plans are going forward anyway, with governments arguing that Internet access can be likened to a utility, and they should be able to offer it to everyone in town. The newest legal challenge to free WiFi isn't coming from the telcos, however, but from Logan International Airport, which is on a mission to ban the airlines from offering free wireless internet access in their terminals and lounges. The Massachusetts Port Authority ("Massport"), the airport's management body, has shut down WiFi service in lounges run by both Contental and American, and ordered Delta not to turn on the WiFi equipment that it was installing in a new terminal. The reason, of course, is security. Massport inists that it needs to devote time and effort to monitoring WiFi access points to ensure that they do not negatively interfere with airline and security communications. Of course, it's just a coincidence that Massport installed its own WiFi network at Logan in 2004, for which it charges customers US$8 a day. Its own system is apparently in no danger of interfering with communications, though free systems installed by the airlines might be. ___________ Read More / Source: Ars Technica