Esat BT have signed an agreement with Aer Rianta to provide free wireless broadband for commuters at Cork Airport during Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union. The company will also provide free broadband in Pier C and the Mezzanine in Dublin Airport.
The contract will provide free wireless broadband to millions of business and leisure travellers passing through the airports, allowing them to access the internet and corporate systems at broadband speeds while waiting for flights.
Joe O’Connor, director of Cork Airport, said: “We are delighted to work with one of the country’s top telecommunications organisations to provide this service. Over 18 million passengers used Cork and Dublin airports last year and it is vital that these key gateways to the country should provide the most advanced infrastructure to enable business and other customers communicate as rapidly and flexibly as possible while they are on the move.”
Anne O’Leary, corporate sales director for Esat BT, said: “The airport is an ideal location for wireless broadband as the complexities of modern day air travel usually means some time waiting at airports. Now travellers have the opportunity to wirelessly log on to their company intranet to download the latest version of a presentation at broadband speeds or catch up on their emails, making them as efficient as when they’re in the office.”
The wireless connectivity at the airports is similar to that provided by BT Openzone, Esat BT’s full commercial Wi-Fi offering. Over 100 BT Openzone sites are operated throughout Ireland in venues such as hotels, coffee shops, and conference centres.
By Brian Skelly
