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Cisco Systems has equipped the Airport Authority (AA) Hong Kong with a Cisco Unified Wireless Network Solution. The solution, which replaces the AA's existing network, is reportedly one of the largest airport WLANs in the world.
The management uses the WLAN to manage cargo and passenger flow at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), the world's busiest international cargo and fifth busiest international passenger airport.

The Cisco WLAN covers all indoor areas, including passenger terminals and baggage claim, as well as aircraft parking bays. The network is to be expanded to the whole cargo apron by the end of the year.
The network allows airport staff to manage flow more effectively. Airport partners, such as airlines, handling agents, retailers and aircraft maintenance staff, can also access the network. Multiple service providers will offer wireless internet services on the platform, giving travelers and airport workers a range of service options.

Hot Technology Zone

• Wireless Technology Primer
• Wireless Airport Association
• University of California convergence paper
• Intel Converged Communications Platform (ICCP)
• MIT Internet and Telecoms Convergence

Wireless Technology is rapidly accelerating use and flexibility of the integration of voice, data and the Internet by aviation, airport, trucking, rail and the end to end supply chain.  Globally, billions of dollars have been invested to update and lay new fiber optic communications cabling infrastructure to enable broadband application expansion. Available statistics indicate that Europe is ahead of the World in the deployment of broadband operations including Voice over IP enterprise installations.  IDC also forecasts that support for mobile workers will more than double between 2003 to 2006.  Hotels will lead the Broadband service locations followed by Railway stations, highway restaurants, exhibition and convention centers, airport lounges and airports.  The number of wireless access points have exploded in airports, rail and commuter centers and other transport facilities in recent months.  With improvements in wireless technology management, security and cost price points, network managers are ready to enable more applications to users linking wireless and their IP wired networks together.

The Transportation and Travel Industries have been early adopters of wireless IP technology and have invested in infrastructure, training and applications development.  These investments will pay back dividends now that vendors are creating solutions with price/performance levels that enable wide spread implementation.

For airports, "layering" technology has enabled managed and separate levels of wireless services for the casual passengers as well as secure applications used by the airport staff or vendors in the airport through the WLAN without conflict and with minimized security risks.  This was the enabling technology to make wireless access at airports, seaports, rail centers available as business and as cash generators for facilities management.

eCOMvergence provides research of vendors solutions, technology, applications, evolving IEEE standards and infrastructure planning to our clients analyze WLAN Transportation and Logistics and Supply Chain potential.

Integrating WIFI and Hosted PBX - VoIP and Wi-Fi convergence

The cost of upgrading existing PBX infrastructure at large and small airports has up to now, been a costly and time consuming project to undertake.  However, that may all be changing.  This technology upgrade is moving toward integrated software and hosted IP PBX solutions.  Indeed, airport investment in wireless can also be integrated into a single airport communications solution that is affordable for regional as well as major hub airports.

The next major technology upgrades that support both airport operations, security and customer needs may well be Hosted-communications services to give airports advanced digital and IP PBXs without the costs of purchasing and managing on-site systems. A number of application providers now feature server for hosted PBX, IP Centrex and consumer broadband voice offerings allows service providers to deliver hosted-communications services to their customers with custom-branded user interfaces and administrative portals.
 

Sorting Through the Interference Issues

To be viable in airports, Wireless technology needs to address the issues associated with competing devices using the same bandwidth as 802.11g.  In addition, structural interference limits the implementation of other applications such as baggage and cargo tracking applications deployed by the air carriers.  eCOMvergence will help the airport review the issues, assess technologies, analyze the security needs and help to plan the right direction to pursue in deploying a wireless application.
 

Airport DSL, T1, Bonded DS1, DS3, OC3 quote at the lowest rates

As Airports evaluate and expand their user and customer requirements to include WiFi, Hosted PBX or VoIP solutions,  the bandwidth of their existing networks may need to be expanded.  Before renewing or expanding their existing contract or when looking for the best and lowest price from the most reputable network providers, consider an assessment and free quote for eCOMvergence.  We can provide the technical evaluation, provide guaranteed quotes and lowest possible rates.  This quick technical evaluation may save the Airport significant communications operations costs.  Click on your ShopforT1 logo for airport DSL, T1 quotes.

Implementation Planning Review

eCOMvergence develops technology and implementation planning assessments for airports.  We understand the airport's business environment whether it is used for general aviation or for full passenger airline services.  We can help your organization assess these technologies, integrate them into your business plans and help develop and support proposals.