Situation

• Traffic at Calgary International Airport has been growing dramatically
• The Calgary Airport Authority is constantly working on ways to improve the passenger experience
• A decision was taken in 2004 to provide WiFi access throughout the terminal building
• As part of the same initiative, the Airport Authority sought to upgrade cellular coverage

Approach

• A Request for Proposals was issued
• After examining submissions from a number of vendors, the Calgary Airport Authority chose to work with TELUS

Business Benefits

• Passengers have wireless access to the Internet and their corporate networks from the moment they enter the terminal until they board their flights
• The service generates new revenue for the Calgary Airport Authority
• Tenants at the airport use the same wireless network to improve their services and revenues
• The airport uses the network to enhance passenger comfort and improve employee productivity
• Cellular coverage is now also available throughout the terminal

Solution

In 2004, the Calgary Airport Authority embarked on a major Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) initiative at Calgary International, Canada’s fourth busiest airport. The goals were to provide passengers with wireless Internet connectivity (Wi-Fi) throughout the terminal building, and to enable new applications for the airport’s tenants and the airlines that operate there.

After examining proposals from a number of providers, the Calgary Airport Authority chose to work with TELUS to implement its full wireless strategy. “The technical solutions they came to the table with, and the revenue-sharing arrangement for Wi-Fi, fit in with our long-term telecom services strategy,” says Paul Lawrence, the Authority’s Director of Information Technology and Telecommunications.

Today, passengers passing through Calgary International can connect to the Internet and their own corporate networks from the moment they enter the building until they board their flight. Because the solution is fully-managed, the Authority does not have to divert its technical staff to monitoring and maintaining the 130 Wi-Fi access points throughout the terminal. Instead, they can concentrate on the Airport’s own needs, while the Wi-Fi offering generates a completely new source of revenue for the Authority.

As part of the same initiative, TELUS also built a cellular site at the airport to improve coverage of both regular cellular service and the Mike network. The end result is a better experience for every passenger.

The new WLAN also enables businesses at Calgary International to improve their services in a number of ways.

• When a Westjet aircraft docks at a gate at Calgary International Airport, information such as payment data from its onboard servers is transferred via wireless link to the terminal building. The link is also used to upload and download content for the seatback TV system.
• Rental car agencies at Calgary International are adopting the use of wireless handheld devices to conduct inspections on returned vehicles and finalize the customer’s account. Returns are faster and customers receive their final bill on the spot, assuring them that there will be no surprises at a later date.
• Airlines will soon be able to download maintenance information from their aircraft directly to wireless handheld devices, giving mechanics faster access to vital service information.
• The Calgary Airport Authority itself is using the Wi-Fi system and a handheld device to control window shades throughout the terminal building. This allows the Authority to maximize lighting and heating conditions, cost-efficiently enhancing passenger comfort. 
• The Authority is also in the process of providing Nortel Wi-Fi handsets to its personnel and contractors to enable them to communicate and collaborate with each other and increase their productivity, wherever they work within the building.

Lawrence is pleased with everything TELUS has done for the Authority. “TELUS exceeded our expectations with the initial installation and the roll-out of the Wi-Fi system,” he says. “In fact, coverage within the terminal and to the aircraft was tested by Intel engineers and they commented that they consider this to be one of the best airport installations they have seen anywhere.”