Boingo Wireless, operator of airport distributed antenna systems (DAS), Wi-Fi and private networks in the U.S., has deployed a high-speed 5G network that will support AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon subscribers at John Wayne Airport (JWA) in Orange County, California. Cellular service will be complemented by a fast, airport-wide Wi-Fi 6 network that will launch this year and provide passengers and airport personnel with connectivity in JWA’s high-traffic areas, including security checkpoints and boarding gates.
Boingo’s converged and neutral host network bring together 5G and Wi-Fi 6 throughout airport terminals and parking to deliver strong wireless coverage for calls, texts, mobile boarding passes, rideshare apps, airline apps and streaming. With increased coverage, speed, security and quicker network response times, 5G and Wi-Fi 6 enables JWA to keep pace with the rapidly evolving landscape of digital innovation at airports. Boingo manages both cellular and Wi-Fi to provide a wireless experience that satisfies the connected passenger journey and the operational requirements of the airport’s digital transformation.
“Innovation is at the forefront of our airport operations, requiring secure, fast, reliable Wi-Fi connectivity. Boingo understands our diverse needs and has kept John Wayne Airport ahead of the technology curve to deliver a superior guest experience,” said JWA Airport Director Charlene Reynolds. “From terminals to rideshare zones to parking structures, Boingo’s 5G and Wi-Fi 6 network will power 24/7 critical airport operations.”
Servicing over 11 million passengers annually, JWA is investing in infrastructure upgrades to provide a streamlined passenger experience—complete with self-service kiosks, digital wayfinding, mobile boarding passes, contactless concessions and the ability to seamlessly download and stream digital content. Boingo’s converged wireless infrastructure is at the foundation of enabling this streamlined experience.
“Airports are complex venues with even more complex connectivity needs. With the rise of the touchless passenger journey and increasing reliance on digital tools for operations, Boingo is there to help airports navigate digital transformation. At forward thinking airports like JWA, we’re leading the industry by building 5G and Wi-Fi 6 networks that work together to make secure, reliable, fast connectivity for millions of connected devices a reality,” said Boingo CEO Mike Finley. “The Boingo network at JWA is designed to reap the current and future benefits of next generation technologies and ensure a high-quality travel experience.”
The network upgrades build upon Boingo and JWA’s successful long-term partnership, which has included enhancements to a neutral host DAS network and launching the first known Wi-Fi 6 airport deployment in 2019 at JWA. Boingo’s first-of-its-kind commercial deployment brought Wi-Fi 6 connectivity—with greater capacity and speed—to JWA’s administration building. Now that Wi-Fi 6 is commercially available on consumer devices, Boingo is expanding the network airport wide.
