1 August 2005
Auckland Airport Goes Wi-Fi
Today, Auckland Airport will take the first step to become one of the largest wi-fi campuses in the country, when the
international terminal’s wireless programme is rolled-out. Initially to be used only for operational tasks, in a few
months passengers in international airline lounges will also be offered wi-fi access.
The service will be progressively introduced to public areas of the terminal as new food and beverage facilities are
opened in the refurbished international pier.
The airport’s head of information technology and telecommunications, Tony Wickstead, says that wi-fi is an exciting new
move in the technology provisions of the airport, “At this stage, we have been working with the Board of Airline
Representatives New Zealand (BARNZ) to provide wireless technology for airport staff in the baggage halls and the apron.
Baggage handlers carry devices that will allow them to trace luggage throughout its journey on the airport.
“The next step will be to offer other tenants on the airport mobile access to information wherever they are, without the
hindrance of wires.”
The airport has joined with Telecom New Zealand to implement the network, which is at this stage limited to the
international terminal. Over the next few months, parts of the domestic terminal will be brought online. The long-term
aim is to have the entire airport precinct wireless enabled, making it the largest wi-fi campus in New Zealand.
Wi-fi technology has been available for a number of years, but the airport says that due to the nature of the facility
and the wide range of applications, it was important to carefully evaluate the options.
“We needed to get it right first time and build a wi-fi infrastructure that is robust and easily expandable, as well as
being fully secure.
“Unlike many other facilities, the wireless network at Auckland Airport can be used for everything from aircraft
operational requirements, wireless telecommunications, remote access to information airport-wide and also the retail
side, with passengers eventually being able to use specific wi-fi ‘hotspots’ to surf the internet and check email”
In the next few months, international airline lounges, including Air New Zealand, Qantas and Emirates will begin to
offer passengers wi-fi access and over the next year, hotspots will pop up in cafes and other parts of the terminal.
Domestic airline lounges will come online from that time as well.
Wickstead says, “We are currently evaluating the possibility of having wireless flight information screens and
electronic signage that can be moved to where it is needed in the terminal.
“Other uses include remote printing, security, cargo handling, check-in equipment, and access to aircraft maintenance
manuals. Basically, it is about allowing all companies on the airport to become more mobile and benefit from its
associated flexibility.”
ends
Information for journalists:
Wi-fi, or ‘wireless fidelity’ is an international standard in telecommunications using the 802.11 frequency in small
high-speed patches, rather than large cellular zones. Many new devices such as laptop computers and personal digital
assistants come w-fi enabled. Users are able to access the internet, email and their office networks through secure
broadband connections in cafes, bars, service stations and other retail outlets.
About Telecom and wi-fi
Telecom provides businesses and organisations, such as Auckland Airport, with the service, infrastructure and technology
to set up wi-fi networks for increased efficiencies and to enable better customer and employee service. Telecom also has
the largest wireless hotspot network in New Zealand; with airports, hotels, cafés, libraries, convention centres and
petrol stations among the 200-plus venues set up as Telecom wireless hotspots. Telecom is planning to have a total of
450 wireless hotspots rolled by Christmas 2005. The Telecom wireless hotspots allow customers to surf the internet
within a wireless environment from their wi-fi enabled laptop or PDA (802.11g or 802.11b). For information on locations
and how to access Telecom’s wireless hotspot service, visit www.telecom.co.nz/wirelesshotspots.