(LtoR) Hartsfield-Jackson Airport's General Manager Ben DeCosta and CIO Lance Lyttle accept the award from Alan Cox.
The announcement was made as part of the Atlanta Airport's first annual Cellular Expo, sponsored by LGC Wireless and SITA INC -- companies that have provided the framework for the airport to build and manage its neutral-host wireless network.
The fact that Hartsfield-Jackson has built, owns and will manage its own DAS is so unique among government entities that Alan Cox, e.Republic vice president, presented Airport GM DeCosta with a certificate of commendation on behalf of the Center for Digital Government, that recognizes the airport's best practices and its DAS as a global government model.
"We are pleased to have great interest in our cellular forum and the technological innovations that we have put in place here at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport," said DeCosta. "We always seek to enhance our customers' experience, and today we launch the final phase of our Wireless Implementation Project, the DAS."
Made up of more than 700 antennas, the $2.7 million DAS provides wireless coverage throughout the airport, covering the terminal, atrium, six concourses and underground transportation mall.
On any given day at Hartsfield-Jackson, more than 100,000 travelers and 55,000 employees are using cell phones. With the "neutral host" aspect of the DAS, ATL's big four cellular providers will use a common infrastructure to provide enhanced wireless service to their customers.
"Our system is configured to support all new cellular devices and handheld technology that will be introduced in the market place during the next 10-15 years," said Hartsfield-Jackson CIO Lance Lyttle.
The DAS will also enhance airport operations with a completely separate layer to support public safety and other operations groups that rely on dependable wireless coverage and service to communicate under regular and emergency circumstances.
Ian Sugarbroad, president and CEO of LGC Wireless; Herv
