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January 29, 2004
Port of Seattle commissioners have approved a five year lease with AT&T Wireless to provide both traditional cellular voice communications and computer based “Wi-Fi” links inside Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
The deal will mean improved cellular and wireless computer coverage for airport customers, improved safety in all parts of the airport, and increased revenue for Sea-Tac.
“This is about bringing our airport into the wireless age,” said Gina Marie Lindsey, managing director of aviation for the Port of Seattle. “The airport needs to be a place where both cell phones and wireless computer access work flawlessly.”
AT&T Wireless will design and install base stations and a series of antennas utilizing a Port fiber-optic backbone to assure voice cellular coverage throughout Sea-Tac. Additionally, AT&T Wireless will install wireless computer access, known as “Wi-Fi” or “802.11b,” at no extra charge to the Port.
“AT&T Wireless will be the voice system manager, but not an exclusive operator,” said John Faulkner, manager of business development for Sea-Tac. “Any cellular provider will be able to buy into this system.”
In addition to AT&T Wireless, three other cellular providers have already signed on to participate in the voice system.
Faulkner estimates the Port will receive about $336,000 in annual revenue from the voice system. The major project cost to the Port will be a one-time charge of about $150,000 for asbestos abatement and project oversight. The internal rate of return is calculated at 223%.
The Wi-Fi portion of the project presents even more opportunity for revenue to the Port. Under terms of the deal, the Port is free to use that side of the system for its own revenue generating purposes. A study is under way to determine how to operate the system in a way that maximizes revenue to the Port.
Currently, voice cellular service at the airport is provided by cell sites located off airport property, and serving the general community. Coverage is spotty in some locations at Sea-Tac, especially in offices and in the airport garage.
AT&T Wireless's voice cellular system will provide coverage in the garage, and in all portions of the terminal and concourses including the airport subway system.
“We think it's especially important to have solid voice cellular coverage in our garage,” said Lindsey. “We have lots of hard-wired emergency phones in the public areas, but there's no substitute for being able to use your cellular phone right from the location of a problem.”
The Wi-Fi network will cover roughly the same area except the subway system and upper floors of the airport garage.
The Port provided wireless computer access starting in Nov. 2000 through a contract with a proprietary vendor. That contract expired last year, but the service has been maintained through a month-to-month agreement with the vendor. The new system is expected to be operational in Jan. 2005.