Air traffic is expected to double in the next 20 years. To prepare for this increase, airports are striving to be more efficient and deliver a better customer experience while maintaining the highest levels of safety and security that passengers expect and deserve.
You can see this in enhancements taking place at airports all over the world. The designs of the massive new hubs in Beijing and Istanbul are passenger-centric. The planned $344 million expansion of JFK Airport’s Terminal 8 is first and foremost focused on the customer. Biometric scan pods are being deployed at Logan Airport in Boston to speed up security checks. And this is just a small sample of the improvements airports are making.
Network-based technologies will play a key role in meeting future operational and customer experience goals. Airport COOs and CIOs know this. These technologies are not just for passengers but also for airlines, retailers and community stakeholders. Airport COOs and CIOs also know their existing wireless networks must evolve with growing demand for greater wireless service reliability, efficiency, and security.
Connectivity that’s everywhere at the airport
Many existing airport wireless services are made up of a mix of Wi-Fi and commercial cellular offerings. These services are often from multiple providers, and they’re shared between operations and passenger services. Emergency services usually have their own PMR/LMR radio network.
It’s easy for these shared networks to get congested when traffic grows. They often have poor signal strength and coverage. Prioritizing bandwidth is impossible. Scaling is difficult. And maintaining these shared networks is usually expensive.
Because of this, more and more airports are considering private wireless for seamless, reliable, and connectivity that is always available. Airports are giving the nod to private wireless for airport operational communications and mission-critical, emergency communications.
Airports can replace legacy TETRA emergency communications networks when they use private wireless. Airports can do so while maintaining their independence from other non-emergency airport operations.
When airports use private wireless, they can provide a single, dedicated voice and data network for operations. Offloading operational services from an existing shared Wi-Fi service improves bandwidth utilization for all sides of the business. This makes it possible to support enhanced applications, rich communications and a better overall Wi-Fi experience for passengers.
How private wireless can help airports’ operations
As for operations, private wireless extends the reach of the airport network. It also accommodates a wide range of high-bandwidth, low-latency services. Baggage and ground services crews can work more productively below-wing when they’re equipped with tablets that can access information in real time.
On the airfield, connected “follow-me” cars give marshallers real-time updates on runway activity and projected flight traffic so they can guide pilots in more effectively. Security and emergency personnel can be equipped with networked bodycams and push-to-video capabilities so that first responders can stream live video to their management for a more informed response. Wireless CCTV cameras can be deployed and redeployed at a moment’s notice to keep airport monitoring up to date.
Airport operators can monetize wireless services for airlines, ground handlers, baggage handlers and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) providers since private wireless networks can segregate and prioritize traffic. In essence, the wireless network becomes a source of revenue generation and not just infrastructure demanding investment.
Today’s airport: A hub of choice
In the end, private wireless helps staff become more efficient, responsive, and coordinated. Private wireless also provides reliable communications for full situational awareness and emergency response.
Airports that are looking at 5G and promising new applications should consider private wireless technologies. These technologies can provide a runway to 5G and a foundation that is “future-proof” for ongoing value creation.
You’ll hear it when travelers, airlines, crew and vendors have a seamless, enjoyable and on-time experience at your airport. These benefits can help you gain a competitive edge and become the preferred hub for airlines, vendors and travelers alike.
Nokia is already working with airport partners in Vienna and Helsinki to provide private wireless capabilities and help them build the airport of their future. Nokia’s solutions offer all that airports need to seize the advantages of wireless connectivity today and be ready to take off into a future of virtually unlimited possibilities.
Infinity, as a Master Distributor of Nokia Private Wireless solutions, is uniquely equipped to outfit airports with the private 5G wireless networks they need to future-proof their infrastructure and. improve safety and satisfaction.
Our partners span an array of industries, including transportation, utilities, oil & gas, service providers, public safety, and federal agencies.
Our mission is to provide the best project deployment support to our channel partners from the early stages of system planning through implementation and after-the-sale support.
Infinity provides solutions, services, and support through our highly skilled, in-house staff of critical infrastructure professionals. Our team includes system engineers, project managers, and technicians with extensive knowledge of network and system design who connect today’s technology with tomorrow’s innovations.
