Published: March 01, 2006 03:40 pm      

Atlanta airport looking to expand wireless role

ATLANTA (AP) — Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is looking to expand the role of its wireless Internet service.

The service, unveiled in October, covers every inch of the world’s busiest air hub but comes with a charge that some other airports forgo.

Airport officials are looking to use the wireless service for other functions, such as allowing police and fire crews to access airport security cameras during emergencies, airport spokesman Lance Lyttle said Wednesday.

The airport also plans to survey passengers to determine other value-added demand, such as providing online games, he said.

More than 20,000 people a month use the service. The airport’s four providers charge between $7.95 to $10.95 day, and $24.99 to $38 a month for access.

“It’s been very successful,” Lyttle said, adding that the airport is negotiating with other wireless providers that want to offer service.

Many U.S. hotels and other airports — including those in Las Vegas, Pittsburgh and Portland, Ore. — offer free wireless.