LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Passengers at the Long Beach Airport can connect to the Internet for free, via a new Airport Hot Zone. The Long Beach Airport provides the high-speed access at no charge.

Through a wireless network, anyone with a laptop or Microsoft Windows Pocket PC-equipped personal digital assistant with an 802.11b wireless radio card can access the Internet while at the airport. The wireless network provides a broadband connection to a centrally located switch at speeds up to 11Mbps. In comparison, an average dial-up connection runs at approximately 54Kbps.

To access the system, users simply open their Internet browser, which will automatically load a portal site for Long Beach's Airport Hot Zone. Users then can check e-mail, download files or just surf, all at speeds up to 50 times faster than with a standard dial-up connection. The Hot Zone, which can accommodate hundreds of simultaneous users, encompasses the entire airport, including passenger lounges, waiting areas and the airport restaurant.

The wireless network is designed to let users roam throughout the airport without losing connectivity. For example, a user may be downloading a presentation while waiting to check in for a flight. With the network's roaming capability, there's no need to wait for the file transfer to be complete before heading down the hall to the gate area or upstairs to the restaurant. To ensure this seamless coverage, Intermec conducted a site survey to determine optimum placement for the access points and antennas to maximize the range and speed of the network.

"We wanted to make sure that we provided easy, hassle-free connectivity with no gaps or dead spots," said Chet Yoshizaki, manager of the Economic Development Bureau for Long Beach. "Intermec's expertise in wireless network design was one of the keys to making that happen. And since the WA21 is designed to withstand harsh environments, we know people will be able to rely on the wireless network even on the rare days when it rains in Long Beach."

In January, Intermec Technologies Inc., which provides the wireless access points for the Airport Hot Zone, also collaborated with the city to launch a similar Hot Zone along an area of Long Beach restaurants and retail shops popular with local residents and business travelers. Future plans include extending the wireless network to the convention center and marina area.

More information is available at www.longbeachportals.com.