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BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
7 August, 2005: Wi-fi at airports? It's no longer a technology innovation, but the Massachusettes Ports Authority is now locked in a fight with Continental Airlines over the Continental's offer of wi-fi to its frequent fliers at all airports. The Logan International airport, operated by the Massachusettes Port Authority says that the wi-fi signals of the
Continental equipment interferes with several critical frequencies in use.
For background, the airport wi-fi offered by the port itself comes for $7.95 a month, whereas Continental is giving wi-fi services free. The Port does not mention the competition part, but says that Continental's wi-fi service is a threat to security.
Continental Airlines says that claim made by the airport is invalid. It says the port cannot legally airport wi-fi offered Continental. The airline has filed a petition with the
Federal Communications Commission against the airport's move against its wi-fi.
Said Continental spokeswoman Julie King: "We believe that offering the free Wi-Fi service at Logan is consistent with FCC regulations and its prior rulings, and is permitted by the terms of our lease with Massport."
This must be a first of its case, involving carrier and the airport offering wi-fi services for passengers.
Since last year, frequent fliesr on all Continental flights are eligible for free Wi-Fi service. However, in July, the airport authorities warned Continental that its antenna "presents an unacceptable potential risk" to Logan's systems.
Massport told Continental that it could send its wireless signals over Logan's Wi-Fi signal at a "very reasonable rate."
However, it is not clear whether the wi-fi signal really poses a threat to the airport systems, or if it is a case of the airport cracking down on competition which offers wi-fi for free.
BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
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