Oslo Airport gets public wireless Internet access

OSLO -- Oslo Airport has become one of the few airports and public places in Europe providing paid access to the Internet through its existing wireless Internet facility, which is available throughout the airport and allows passengers to access Internet. The airport's new wireless access network was developed by Nomadix, a California-based supplier of public access systems, and 3C Communications, based in Luxembourg and Europe's leading specialist credit and debit clearing house.

The wireless broadband network was been available to companies at the airport earlier this year, but will now be opened for general use in all public areas in the Oslo Airport and at the Radisson SAS Conference Centre East. 

The Nomadix Universal Subscriber Gateway (USG) is a key component in the Oslo Airport network because it allows any user to access the Internet without requiring any changes to the configuration of a laptop computer. Once connected, the user can enter credit card information over an encrypted connection to be billed for the service. This allows Oslo Airport to generate revenue by using 3C Communications as a seller of access to passengers equipped with Wi-Fi enabled devices. 

Payment solutions

"This unique facility provides travelers greater choice, flexibility and crucially a competitive advantage within Oslo Airport," said Morten Eldevik, CEO of Oslo Lufthavn Tele & Data AS (OLTD). "We have chosen 3C Communications as a service provider due to their wide experience with both credit card transactions and Internet payment solutions throughout Europe."

The wireless computer network was established to meet a growing demand for high-speed mobile data communication for companies engaged in airport-related activities and for the public who use the airport, Eldevik said. "We work with customers, owners and other partners to realize gains for customers by changing work routines such as those provided by mobile and seamless data communication. For companies that are increasingly equipping their employees with laptop PCs, the broadband network at Oslo Airport can function as an extension of the home network when they are out traveling."

There are three steps for the traveler to get the wireless service at the Oslo Airport. First, the traveler selects the duration of the connection. Next, credit card details are entered and captured through an encrypted Web page. Finally and optionally, an e-mail address is entered where a receipt and other details may be sent. Following an online authorization of the credit card, the traveler is then free to surf the Internet.

"The commercial partnership between 3C Communications and OLTD is based on the management of 27 public credit card payphones within the airport terminal infrastructure," Eldevik said. "OLTD is a company seeking to increase the commercial opportunities available to clients within the corporate and public market. OLTD is delighted to formally announce the introduction of a new broadband IP-zone service at Oslo Airport."

The Luxembourg-based company 3C Communications International is a wholly owned company of Tele2 AB in Sweden. 3C Communications is considered the market leader in integration and provision of services and solutions based on payment by credit card in the hotel, travel, restaurant, parking and entertainment industry. The WLAN solution at Oslo Lufthavn was supplied by Data Equipment AS.

Credit card transactions

"By relying on our 16 years of experience in handling credit card transactions, we have been able to adapt Web2Pay, our Internet-based credit card gateway, to the needs of Oslo Airport's Wi-Fi network," said Alex Zivoder, 3C Communications managing director. "This credit card solution is the first step in offering the market a global payment solution that can easily generate revenue for Wi-Fi operators."

Web2Pay, 3C's credit card gateway, and its adaptation to the Wi-Fi environment are the result of a continuing partnership between 3C Communications and Primesphere, a leading independent ICT service provider in Luxembourg. 

"Our ultimate goal is to leverage our wide European presence in airports and hotels to provide a Wi-Fi payment gateway that allows roaming between sites, therefore dramatically increasing the scope of revenue generation to Wi-Fi operators," Zivoder said.

3C Communications offers its services to more than 1,600 business customers of the hospitality, car parking and entertainment industries and provides each year to 800,000 customers public telephony services through credit card phones.

Nomadix develops mobility technology, which enhances security while enabling mobility in wireless and wired data networks by delivering universal mobile connectivity, advanced security, and policy-based traffic shaping to the mobile worker. In Nomadix-enabled networks, users receive secure, high-speed data services at their offices, on the road, in their homes. With headquarters in Westlake Village, Nomadix sells and supports its products globally through OEM partnerships, Value Added Resellers and Systems Integrators.