Airlines, Wireless Industry Fight Airports Over Wi-Fi

There's a growing fight between airport authorities and the wireless and airline industries. The FCC is considering comments concerning the Massachusetts Port Authority’s (Massport) demand for an airline antenna’s removal from an airport. Continental Airline is challenging the move and asking the FCC to declare the it illegal. Continental last year installed a fixed wireless antenna to provide free Wi-Fi service to customers and employees in its Presidents Club frequent flyer lounge at Boston-Logan International Airport. But Massport demanded that the airline remove the antenna, saying its installation was prohibited by Continental’s lease with the agency. Continental contends any lease restrictions are preempted by the Over-the-Air Reception Devices ("OTARD" to you and me) rules, but Massport claims its actions fall within the rules’ central antenna and safety exceptions. If Continental wants to provide Wi-Fi service to its Club members, Massport said, it must use a central antenna installed by Massport and maintained by a 3rd-party vendor. Unlike Continental’s, Massport’s Wi-Fi service is offered for a fee. Continental’s supporters urged the FCC to use its exclusive authority over radio frequency emissions under the Communications Act to declare that federal law preempts airport authorities from restricting airlines from installing wireless antennas for fixed wireless service provision. They said Massport’s actions would stall rapid deployment of innovative wireless technologies and eliminate consumer choice of telecom providers. Denying Continental petition would thwart competition among service providers, supporters said. Massport urged the FCC to deny the Continental petition, because: 1) “Massport’s installation of a central Wi-Fi antenna and its restriction on individual ones “does not constitute an impairment under the OTARD rules;” 2) Massport has “legitimate safety reasons for not allowing Continental to operate an individual Wi-Fi antenna;” and 3) The OTARD rules don't apply to Continental’s antenna.
[SOURCE: Communications Daily, AUTHOR: Susan Polyakova]
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