Toronto's Pearson Airport Finally Adds Free WiFi

From the desk of "geesh, it's about time!" comes the announcement that Toronto's Pearson Airport is finally offering travelers free access to WiFi service so they can check their e-mails and surf the Web while waiting for a flight.

I travel at least 3-4 times a year, always through Pearson (although I'm tempted to fly Porter since I hear good things,) and never have I been neglected access to my e-mails or Web surfing. Why? Because I use my smartphone and the 3G wireless network which, guess what airport authorities and paid WiFi services, is free! Well, it's not free. But I already pay one set fee for virtually unlimited access (6 GB worth). Granted, if I'm traveling to or from any other out-of-province or country airport that doesn't have free WiFi, it's absolutely frustrating. So anyone arriving from another province or country to Pearson will most certainly appreciate the ability to utilize free WiFi, even on a smartphone that's capable of switching to a WiFi signal, not just a notebook. Let's face it: we all know data roaming fees can really add up without some sort of travel package. So free WiFi of any kind is a good thing.

That said, while Pearson Airport (YYZ for you frequent flyers) is way behind the times in adding free WiFi, which will be provided by Rogers, it's a positive move that the airport has finally decided to join the growing pack and do just that. In a blatantly obvious statement, Pamela Griffith-Jones, Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer for the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA), declares: "Our guests have told us that being able to stay connected while at the airport is important to them, and that they expect this service to be complimentary." Really? This is breaking news to you?

"We are delighted," she adds, "that we were able to make this possible, while maintaining our focus on reducing costs and improving value for money for our airlines and passengers."

But consider that while this decision will be positive for travelers, what does it mean for a company like Boingo Wireless, which has typically been the only option (paid, of course) for getting online through WiFi at Pearson? Boingo will continue to benefit from things like global WiFi packages that afford unlimited Internet access in a selection of airports around the world that don't have WiFi, or might have potentially dodgy connections. But the company will, no doubt, take a hit from this decision. And as more and more airports follow Pearson's lead, or rather Pearson's following of many others who have already taken the lead, companies like Boingo will find it harder and harder to justify services.

Pearson is a hub between many destinations. In 2009, the GTAA reports that 30.4 million passengers travelled through the Toronto airport. How many of those did, or would, use WiFi? Who knows. But chances are it's a large percentage.

As for me, the next time I'm at Pearson (which will coincidentally be in a month,) I probably will log on to the free WiFi if I have at least an hour's time before my flight departs; and will certainly report back to readers on how well it works. Now, if only hotels would follow suit...