Airport operator BAA has awarded a major cabling contract that will enable the variety of voice and data applications required at London Heathrow’s Terminal 5.

The deployment of enterprise networking, copper and fibre connectivity solutions will enable the terminal to supply data for passenger information displays, check-in desk computer systems, baggage handling security and POS units at retail outlets.

BAA spokesman Kevin Fallon said: ‘The complexity of building Terminal 5 means that it is essential to have an end-to-end voice and data solution from one company that will respond quickly to our needs.

‘We selected ADC Krone because it has experience in providing robust solutions for data intensive, mission critical environments. We could not take a chance on security or operational data because any faults or downtime could have dire consequences.’

Fallon says Krone is an existing supplier, which means any interface problems with existing systems will be resolved more easily. It also offered to provide True Net, a product that would futureproof the airport against continued growth.

When completed, the Terminal 5 building will be big enough to fit around 50 football pitches across its five floors, demonstrating the size of the task ahead.

The contract was made through major infrastructure provider NTL, who will work with them on the design and specification of the cabling.

‘There are thousands of kilometres of cabling, but we are pretty advanced, more than half way to completion,’ Fallon said.

When completed in 2011, Terminal 5 will have a capacity to handle 30m passengers annually, taking Heathrow’s total passenger numbers to about 90m a year. This will make London Heathrow the world’s busiest airport.

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