The Wi-Fi infrastructure at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta has just received a huge upgrade, and most importantly, it’s now free to use too.
According to aviationpros.com, the $5.6 million upgrade is needed because it’s expected that the number of Wi-Fi users will rocket once the service becomes free, so the infrastructure needs to handle this increase in browsers. Included in the huge cost is a $2 million incentive for the contractor, Johnson Controls, to finish the work quickly.
Originally, only around 2,000 people were able to use the service at any one time. Now the upgrade is complete, some 15,000 users can simultaneously browse the internet, reports ajc.com.
Hartsfield-Jackson’s lack of free Wi-Fi used to be the most complained about aspect of the facility, as many US airports don’t charge for this service. Before the upgrade, 24 hours of Wi-Fi usage would set people back $4.95 and at one point the world’s busiest airport was making $1.5 million per year from the service. The $4.95 price was actually a reduction of the original charge, which was $7.95 a day.
At the moment, users don’t have to put up with any adverts on the free service, but airport spokesman Reese McCranie says they may consider using ads later down to line to help fund maintenance.
