January 31, 2020 – Board of Public Works Approves Upgraded Wi-Fi Service for BWI Marshall Airport

The Maryland Board of Public Works (BPW) this week approved a contract to enhance Wi-Fi service for Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. At its meeting Wednesday, the board, chaired by Governor Larry Hogan and including Comptroller Peter Franchot and Treasurer Nancy Kopp, approved the contract with SmartCity Wireless Solutions of BWI, LLC. The firm will replace the existing Wi-Fi infrastructure at the airport with new, advanced technology for an improved level of service.

“The project will ensure our customers have easy access to free, robust Wi-Fi service,” said Ricky Smith, Executive Director of BWI Marshall Airport. “This new system will improve wireless speed and reliability for travelers. We thank the Board of Public Works for the approval, and we look forward to this important customer enhancement.”

SmartCity Wireless will design, install, operate and maintain a high-speed, free public Wi-Fi system throughout BWI Marshall Airport, including the passenger terminal, parking facilities, shuttle buses and rental car facility. The company will provide easy-to-access Wi-Fi with speeds between 25 mbps and 100 mbps, and will complete a new distributed antenna system network to boost cellular connectivity at the airport, among other features.

Full implementation of the new system is expected to be in place in early 2021. SmartCity Wireless is a collaboration of technology firms including AT&T, MIST Juniper Systems, Samsung Networks, NGEN, and Clear Channel Airports. Steps are being taken to minimize impacts on customer experience during this implementation.

BWI Marshall Airport remains the busiest airport in the region and produces a total economic impact of $9.3 billion. The airport and visitors generate and support more than 106,000 jobs throughout the region.

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