March 1, 2005

Houston Airport System

The Houston Airport System and Sprint have announced the availability of Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access^SM at William P. Hobby Airport.

Hobby travelers can use the new high-speed wireless service, at speeds up to 100 times faster than standard dialup, throughout the airport, including gate areas, restaurants, ticketing and baggage claim.

"With the growing availability of Sprint connectivity options, business travel does not need to involve communications downtime," explained Wes Dittmer, Sprint General Manager of WLAN Services.  "Wait time before or between flights is no longer wasted time in terms of lost productivity or missed opportunity.  Our customers have the choice of using Sprint PCS VisionSM data services to be connected while mobile via the enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network or Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access when they are in key public venues for any length of time and need higher data speeds."

"Wi-Fi service will make things better for people who come here, and just makes our facility more attractive," said Meg Lonero, manager of Hobby Airport, which serves more than eight million passengers annually.

Customers will need a Wi-Fi card or mobile device embedded with Wi-Fi technology in order to take advantage of the service. Users are greeted by the Houston Hobby portal page that provides a host of free information, including real-time flight information.

Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access has two available billing options: Pay-As-You-Go access is $9.95 per connection per location for 24 hours of unlimited access; and a new Month-to-Month plan which offers unlimited access for $49.95 per month. For complete information including a list of Wi-Fi ZONES^TM compatible with Sprint service, visit www.sprint.com/wifi. 

The Houston Airport System will host a public information workshop concerning various alternatives for future growth at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Thursday, March 3 at 5:30 p.m. at the Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Parkway in Humble.  

HAS personnel will present six airfield configuration alternatives and three terminal alternatives depicting a broad range of options developed by the master plan consultant team.  Various informational exhibits will be displayed.  HAS personnel and consultants will be available to answer questions and listen to public input.  

"Bush Intercontinental Airport has to adjust to growing aviation industry demands to remain competitive in the global marketplace," said Richard Vacar, director of the Houston Airport System.  "However, the need for added runway capacity or new terminal areas must be balanced with the desires of our neighbors.  I encourage all interested parties to attend and be a part of the process."

A news release from HAS notes that George Bush Intercontinental Airport is responsible for over 118,000 jobs, $19.4 billion in sales and $5.6 billion in personal income.

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