by Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer, BT Group
In today’s always-connected world, mobile users expect more than just speed. Reliability, availability and consistent indoor performance are equally important – especially in complex, busy environments like airports, where staying connected is essential.
Whether downloading a boarding pass at baggage drop or buying last-minute holiday essentials using mobile payments, airports are increasingly digital spaces within which fast, reliable connectivity has become a must. And while travelling is about getting from A to B, for many it’s also about staying in touch with travel companions, streaming your favourite TV shows or simply sharing those pre-holiday snaps with friends.
But airports are complex venues. Their unique layouts make deploying connectivity a challenge. And with thousands of passengers often passing through a terminal at any one time, demand for mobile capacity is intensified. Last summer, Manchester Airport saw 6.56 million travellers in July and August alone, and it expects to see the same footfall this year.
Delivering connectivity to Manchester Airport
We’re therefore proud to announce that, in time for the Summer holidays and in partnership with Wireless Infrastructure Group (WIG), we are now delivering enhanced connectivity across all three terminals at Manchester Airport. The new indoor network solution ensures that EE customers can stay connected throughout public areas of the airport.
Working collaboratively with the airport, WIG deployed a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) designed to enhance indoor wireless network coverage and capacity, especially when the outdoor signal from cell towers doesn’t effectively penetrate into buildings.
Craig Birchenough, CEO - Indoor Networks, WIG, commented “Wireless Infrastructure Group is pleased to see EE’s mobile services now live on the system we recently delivered at Manchester Airport, ensuring their customers stay connected with access to the mobile apps and services that form a vital part of a modern travel experience. This project highlights the strength of our partnership with EE and demonstrates how high-quality connectivity in airport environments can deliver real, tangible benefits for people on the move.”
This is yet another milestone in our broader ambition to bring EE’s award-winning network to as many locations as possible across the UK, including the indoor environments where customers need it most. Airports are a prime example of where smart, high-capacity, indoor solutions are critical to delivering the network experience our customers expect.
Designed for busy, high-demand spaces
The new system has been engineered specifically for the demands of a bustling international airport, providing the high-capacity coverage needed even at peak times. It’s not just the sheer number of people using their phones that creates challenges, it’s also the physical complexity of the buildings themselves. Multi-level layouts, thick walls and complex designs can all impact network performance indoors.
Staying connected is crucial, and the new indoor system at Manchester Airport means passengers can rely on fast download speeds for all of their travel essentials across terminals 1, 2 and 3.
Reliable connectivity - wherever the adventure takes you
Indoor connectivity is a key focus for us as we continue to deliver the nation's most reliable, secure and trusted network. Not just outdoors, but in the places and spaces where people spend their time. From stadiums to shopping centres, transport hubs to office buildings, we’re investing in innovative technologies like Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) and indoor small cells to overcome the challenges posed by complex buildings and heavy footfall.
This latest rollout at Manchester Airport joins a growing list of UK venues benefitting from enhanced indoor EE coverage, ensuring our customers experience the same reliable, high-performance network wherever their journey takes them.
This includes recently enhancing connectivity at London Stansted Airport – another collaboration with WIG which ensures seamless mobile coverage throughout all passenger and operational areas at the UK’s fourth busiest airport, serving over 29 million passengers annually.
So, whether you’re gaming on your mobile, catching up with social media before your flight, or setting your out-of-office, you can count on EE to keep you connected from check-in to take-off. See you at the gate!
