| |
CHICAGO AIRPORT SYSTEM TO OFFER WI-FI SERVICE
AT O’HARE & MIDWAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS
CHICAGO - The City Council today passed an ordinance to provide
wireless high fidelity (Wi-Fi) service at Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway
International airports.
Chicago Concourse Development Group, LLC will install “neutral host”
Wi-Fi networks throughout both airports. These airport-wide networks
will provide users with wireless Internet access through nearly any
Wireless Internet Service Provider.
“Wi-Fi will enable our passengers at O’Hare and Midway to directly link
to the Internet, send e-mails, or surf our Web site to discover the
wide variety of restaurants and shops conveniently located throughout
our terminals,” said Aviation Commissioner John A. Roberson.
The network will also support improved wireless (cellular and
voice-over Internet protocol) phone service for all participating
providers throughout O’Hare and Midway terminals.
The system is expected to be operational early next year and will
provide high-speed wireless Internet access in all public areas at both
airports. Currently at O’Hare, only VIP airline lounges provide Wi-Fi
service.
The Department of Aviation reviewed nine responses to a widely
advertised Request for Proposals (RFP), from companies offering Wi-Fi
service. An internal committee, supported by an independent consultant,
evaluated the submitted proposals, and selected Chicago’s Concourse
Development Group, LLC (a joint venture with Concourse Communications)
as that most responsive to the RFP. After extensive, detailed review,
the City Council’s Finance, Aviation, and Economic/Capital/Technology
Development Committees subsequently confirmed the Department’s process
and this selection.
Concourse Communications currently provides neutral host Wi-Fi service
to major U.S. airports, including New York and New Jersey Port
Authority (LaGuardia, JFK and Newark), Detroit Wayne County
Metropolitan, Nashville International, and Minneapolis/St. Paul
International airports, and has recently been selected by Canada’s
Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) to manage, operate and
maintain the Wi-Fi network at the Lester B. Pearson International
Airport. Locally, Concourse Development Group is installing Wi-Fi
networks at the Chicago Field Museum, and Soldier Field.
|
|
