Passengers at Los Angeles International Airport will now be able to enjoy free Wi-Fi for sessions lasting less than 45 minutes or pay a fee to use the service for a longer period of time.
A spokesperson at Los Angeles World Airports says guests have the option of purchasing premium bandwidth for $4.95 per hour or $7.95 for a 24-hour period.
This is welcome news for many since free internet access at the airport was one of the top demands by passengers and by Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, who sits on the Tourism, Trade, and Commerce Committee.
Earlier this summer when the issue went before committee, Rosendahl insisted on free Wi-Fi for passengers and urged the service provider Advance Wireless Group to install the system before the previous contract expired.
“I’m thrilled that people will enjoy free Wi-fi at the number one destination airport in the world,” said Councilmember Bill Rosendahl whose district includes LAX. “Easy access to the internet is just one of the many ways we’re modernizing the airport and creating the ultimate traveling experience for passengers.”
A team with AWG worked quickly to convert the existing infrastructure to the new free service in less than two weeks. Crews then had to upgrade the Wi-Fi infrastructure in nearly 4 million square feet of public space across the airport’s nine terminals. The upgrade improved the speed and reliability of the service, according to a release from LAWA.
The $663,333 two-year concessions agreement includes operating and maintaining the public wireless internet system at the airport. In addition, the system is expected to generate $283,333 in revenue for the airport in the first year, $380,000 in the second, and as much as $420,000 in the third option year, if exercised.
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