FCC backs Airline's free Wi-Fi at Logan Airport

FCC BACK'S AIRLINE'S FREE WI-FI AT LOGAN AIRPORT
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Jeremy Pelofsky]
Continental Airlines won a battle to offer high-speed Internet service in its frequent flier club at Boston Logan International Airport, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission ruled on Wednesday. The FCC ruled against the Massachusetts Port Authority, or Massport, which ordered airlines in 2005 to unplug their wireless and wireline high-speed Internet services in their lounges and instead use the airport's fee-based system. "Today's decision ensures that the Wi-Fi 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. A spokeswoman for MassPort said the airport had not decided if it would appeal the ruling.
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=technologyNews&story...

* Petition for Declaratory Ruling Regarding the Over-the-Air Reception Devices (OTARD) Rules
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-157A1.doc

* Commissioner Copps:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-157A2.doc

* Commissioner Adelstein: "Today we strike a victory for the WiFi revolution in the cradle of the American Revolution. The WiFi movement embodies the spirit of American freedom, and in our action we say "don't tread on me." The movement has been one of the great telecommunications success stories because it enables American consumers and businesses to offer and receive broadband services at the most local levels - at any time, in any place."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-157A3.doc

* FCC: Boston airport can't block airline's Wi-Fi
http://news.com.com/FCC+Boston+airport+cant+block+airlines+Wi-Fi/2100-73...

* Media Access Project press release:
"Today's decision goes well beyond free Wi-Fi in airports. It provides a powerful affirmation to the community wireless movement in the United States by protecting the rights of users to operate Wi-Fi access points and other unlicensed devices whether or not a landlord has an exclusive arrangement with a provider."
http://www.mediaaccess.org/press/continental%20ruling.pdf

* Big Win For Community Wireless At FCC
[SOURCE: Tales from the Sausage Factory, AUTHOR: Harold feld]
[Commentary] Key holdings in the FCC's Logan Airport decision: 1) OTARD Definitely Applies to Part 15 “Unlicensed” Devices. 2) The FCC provided clarification of the “public safety exception” and made important statements about the distinction between unlicensed and licensed spectrum. 3) The FCC explicitly held that it's Section 303 licensing authority applies to 'unlicensed' spectrum.
http://www.wetmachine.com/totsf/item/628