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Sea-Tac Wireless

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12 Jun 2003

Seattle’s airport, Sea-Tac has signs thoughout the building advertising an Intel-sponsored Wayport wireless network. But even though I was sitting right under one of the signs indicating an access point, Netstumbler couldn’t make a connection. The only form of help available was a toll-free phone call, but my cell phone battery was dead, so I was stuck inthe airport for almost three hours without net access.

Intel should have had instructions for connecting to the network at the access points. The posters should have explained how to do it. But they didn’t. Now when I see Centrino ads, all I’m going to remember are the access points I couldn’t access.

On a related note, there are so many business travelers with laptops, cell phones, and other devices that airports could do more to accomodate them. Waiting areas could have more power outlets, perhaps even outlets in the seats. Gift shops could carry disposable cell phone batteries.

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