BT loses UK airport Wi-Fi deal

 

Gallery

By Hani Megerisi

Posted on 2 Mar 2010 at 17:35

BT has lost its contract to supply Wi-Fi to six of the UK’s biggest airports, after owners BAA switched the deal to US firm Boingo.

The switch - which affects Heathrow, Stansted, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Southampton airports - follows an auction for the contract held by BAA at the beginning of February.

BAA’s UK airports are the crown jewels of hotspots in the British Isles

“Boingo won a competitive BAA auction for exclusive internet access in the public areas of six BAA airports,” said a spokesperson for BT. “We recognise these are important sites... [but] BAA is the awarding body for the public areas and the decision was theirs”. The company added that it will continue to provide services in other UK airports.

Boingo Wireless will be opening offices in the UK and rolling out similar services and payment plans as the previous BT network, including day passes and subscriptions. Users will have the option to purchase international passes too, and can pay for them in either Sterling or Euros.

“BAA’s UK airports are the crown jewels of hotspots in the British Isles,” said David Hagan, CEO and president of Boingo Wireless. “BAA’s decision brings those travelers access to not only six airports in the UK, but also more than 125,000 hotspots around the world with a single account.”