BT loses WiFi contract at six UK airports

03/03/2010

By James Wilson.

BT has lost a contract to supply wireless broadband access at six major UK airports.

The company was reportedly beaten in an auction by US company Boingo, affecting its internet supply deals at Stansted, Heathrow, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Southampton airports.

A BT spokesperson commented: "We recognise these are important sites, [but] BAA is the awarding body for the public areas and the decision was theirs."

The company will still provide WiFi connectivity at other "UK airports, airport hotel chains and transport links", it added.

Boingo is expected to open offices in the UK and could offer similar services to BT, including subscriptions and day passes.

It currently operates around 125,000 wireless hotspots across the world.

Meanwhile, high-street footwear chain Croc has reported large profits at its new Manchester Airport site.

The store, which is located inside a World Duty Free Biza store, boasts 40 different ranges of footwear and could also open a branch at Bristol Airport later this year, the Moodie Report states.