Airline wins WiFi war at Logan: FCC sides with Continental
By Donna Goodison
http://business.bostonherald.com/bus...00&format=text
Thursday, November 2, 2006 - Updated: 07:54 AM EST

The Federal Communications Commission has sided with Continental Airlines in its battle to continue to offer its own WiFi Internet service at Boston’s Logan International Airport.
The FCC ruled yesterday that the Massachusetts Port Authority’s attempt to block other entities from offering wireless Internet service violated FCC rules that allow businesses and consumers to install WiFi antennas without landlord approval.
“Today’s decision ensures that the WiFi bands remain free and open to travelers, who can make productive use of their time while waiting to catch their next flight in an airport,” FCC Commissioner Michael Copps said in a statement. “They will be able to choose from among multiple providers, including members-only airport lounges as well as coffee shops or businesses that may choose to attract customers by offering WiFi service at lower prices than the airport authority offers.”
Logan started offering WiFi service for $7.95 a day in June 2004. The service is free to those whose Internet provider has a roaming agreement with Advanced Wireless Group, the New York company operating it.
Unless Massport appeals, the FCC ruling ends a two-year battle that pitted the agency against Continental and others that petitioned the FCC on its behalf, including American Airlines, T-Mobile and the Media Access Project.
“We’re disappointed in the ruling, but reviewing it carefully and weighing our options moving forward,” Massport spokeswoman Danny Levy said.
Continental installed its free WiFi system in its President’s Club frequent-flier lounge at Logan in July 2004, and Massport demanded its removal almost a year later. Massport argued the system violated the airline’s lease, and potentially could interfere with its own WiFi system and future public safety communications.
But the FCC said its WiFi safety exception applied to potential dangers to the public’s physical safety and health, not interference with other radio device users.
Continental had continued to offer its WiFi service despite Massport’s demands, but American Airlines stopped its T-Mobile service, and Delta didn’t go forward with its WiFi plans.