Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has completed a major deployment of wireless internet technology, and now plans to extend the project to other airports.

The company has installed 90 wireless access points to provide internet coverage throughout Manchester Airport.

Public WiFi coverage over the network has been available via T-Mobile since December. MAG will use it for its own business activities, and to provide a service to tenants including airlines, retailers and ground staff agencies.

‘Wireless technology has a lot of potential for airport operations, such as providing information about flight times and assisting check-in procedures,’ said Aaron Bazler, network and infrastructure manager at MAG.

Systems integrator Telindus worked with wireless equipment provider Trapeze Networks to install the system, and has deployed extra security features to detect rogue access points.

‘We also have a Cisco wired network and use Cisco virtual local area networks to ensure that public and private networks remain separate,’ said Bazler.

MAG has installed dual Trapeze MX400 networks at Manchester Airport to ensure that the WiFi service is resilient and able to meet user demand.

‘Traditionally, airports have suffered from dilution of wireless services through the presence of multiple uncontrolled wireless infrastructures that are both difficult to manage in terms of conflicting spectrums and are potentially confusing for the travelling public,’ said Bazler.

MAG is planning to install laptop stations in parts of the airport by the end of March, and also wants to introduce wireless internet at its other airports, including Bournemouth, Humberside and Nottingham East Midlands.