Wi-Fi comes to air travel

Hot spots for wireless Internet links are really taking off, with El Al Israel Airlines currently examining the possibility of operating an infrastructure for wireless Internet connection for airline passengers, Haaretz has learned. El Al officials are checking the technology and receiving proposals from Internet service providers (ISPs) interested in operating the service, which is expected to begin in another few months.

Until wireless Internet connections are available on El Al planes, business class passengers of foreign airlines can enjoy free wireless Internet in Terminal 3, the new Ben-Gurion 2000 terminal.

SmartNet, an Israeli wireless Internet provider, has set up "hot spots" for wireless Internet connections in the two departure lounges for business class passengers on foreign airlines. The lounges, which have about 320 seats, were designed by the Dan hotels chain and QAS, SmartNet's service that allows businessmen and passengers awaiting their flights to surf the high-speed Internet for free via their laptops or handheld computers.

In the VIP third lounge, which serves El Al's business class passengers, free wireless Internet service has been offered for several weeks, provided by Golden Lines. The lounge also has WAP connections for cellular telephones.

SmartNet CEO Naftali Hirsch says that the free Internet service is being provided for an unspecified period, but will be continued for the foreseeable future.

Wireless Internet service is available for free in business class lounges at many airports around the world, while the service for the general public in the rest of the airport is available for a fee, via credit card, with hot spots spread throughout the airport. Some airports provide free wireless service for all passengers.

Terminal 3 as yet has no wireless Internet availability for the general public, but the Airports Authority is currently examining both the operational and economic aspects of this issue.

In addition to veteran ISPs in Israel providing wireless Internet service, the the rising popularity of this service here has resulted in the establishment of companies that specialize in setting up wireless Internet networks, such as SmartNet and 2Plus Wireless Solutions, which is owned by Benny Birenbaum, one of the founders of Netcom.

	"Hot spots" for wireless Internet connections have been set up in two departure lounges.
	Photo by: Dudu Bachar