San Francisco Airport launches wireless

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and T-Mobile USA have announced the availability of high-speed wireless Internet access for passengers traveling through SFO with T-Mobile HotSpot service. As part of a multi year lease agreement for T-Mobile to offer Wi-Fi (802.11b) wireless broadband (WLAN) service throughout the airport, SFO becomes the latest airport to offer travelers the convenience of using their notebook computer or PDA to check e-mail or surf the Web with a super fast, reliable wireless connection.

The network at SFO will be installed in phases over the next year. The first phase is complete and provides T-Mobile HotSpot service currently at United Airlines Gates 80 to 90 in Terminal 3 including the food court and Hub lounge, United Airlines' Red Carpet Club and the ticket and lobby area of the New International Terminal Building. The balance of the airport will be Wi-Fi enabled by the end of the year offering customers wireless connectivity from anywhere in the airport whether at their gate, ticket counter or airport restaurant or lounge.

San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, Intel Chairman Andy Grove and T-Mobile USA Vice Chairman Bob Stapleton and Airport Director John L. Martin cut an Ethernet cord at the San Francisco International Airport at a reception to announce the unwiring of the airport.

The service is already available in SFO's American Airlines Admirals Club as part of a previous agreement. T-Mobile has entered into agreements with Syntegra for the network installation.

A reception, attended by more than 75 city officials and media, was held to promote the availability of high-speed wireless Internet access. T-Mobile and Intel announced this week an agreement to launch a joint marketing campaign to promote T-Mobile HotSpot service in conjunction with the upcoming introduction of Intel Centrino mobile technology for notebook PC's that feature built-in wireless capability.

'Cut the cord'

The "cutting of the Ethernet cord" for SFO travelers was celebrated at a reception hosted by Airport Director John L. Martin, San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, T-Mobile USA Vice Chairman Bob Stapleton and Intel Corporation Chairman Andy Grove. T-Mobile and Intel announced this week an agreement to launch a joint marketing campaign to promote T-Mobile HotSpot service in conjunction with the upcoming introduction of Intel Centrino mobile technology for notebook PC's that feature built-in wireless capability.

"At SFO, we pride ourselves on being a world-class facility that makes cutting-edge technology available for our savvy travelers," said SFO Airport Director John Martin. "Thanks to this new technology, road warriors can now reclaim lost work time and keep in touch with loved ones while at SFO."

According to Bob Stapleton, vice chairman of T-Mobile USA, the announcement underscores the company's progress in expanding the service to airports nationwide. "Today's announcement with the City, our air travel partners, and Intel illustrates the fundamental desire for mobile high-speed Internet and intranet access," he said. "These highly capable technology, marketing, and venue partners will allow us to expand our market leading T-Mobile HotSpot service even more rapidly in 2003."

Agreements with airlines

Currently, T-Mobile HotSpot service is available in more than 2,200 locations in the United States, including Starbucks coffeehouses, Borders Books and Music and American Airlines Admirals Clubs. Additionally, T-Mobile provides coverage at either American Airlines gates or in whole terminals at fifteen airports in North America. T-Mobile has also announced agreements with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines to deploy the service in over 100 of the airline's clubs and lounges this year.

Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile USA operates the largest GSM/GPRS voice and high-speed wireless data network in the United States, with a claimed coverage of 200 million people. T-Mobile also operates a Wi-Fi 802.11b wireless broadband (WLAN) network in more than 2,000 public locations including Starbucks coffeehouses, American Airlines Admirals Clubs, and select airports nationwide. 

T-Mobile is a member of T-Mobile International group, the mobile telecommunications subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, and one of the top three global wireless carriers in the world.