Wireless network at Suvarnabhumi Airport
November 6, 2009 by Rapeepat Mantanarat
Filed under Blogs, Rapeepat Mantanarat
Airports of Thailand, in cooperation with Milcom Systems, has introduced wireless internet at Suvarnabhumi Airport, but there are hitches and restrictions.
It is just one of various attempts to improve the airport’s chances to gain entry into the world’s top 10 airports ranking. But the authorities leave themselves open to criticism that the desire to offer premier services to customers comes second to an ambition to gain points in ranking scheme.
In this case, AoT can tick “yes” in the box: “Do you offer free internet services for passengers in the airport building”?
That answer does not take into account the service is only for 15 minutes and is conditional on passengers picking up a password at the airport information counter on the second and fourth floors of the east and west wings.
Once again, the airport management has not thought this through from a customer’s view point. Some lucky passengers will be in the east and west wings and many will not. Also, they may not have the time, or the inclination, to go to the counters for a password. It could take 10 minutes to obtain a password for an inadequate 15 minutes access.
Like so many of the bells and whistle this airport creates to gain approval from an awards company, it falls well short of what passengers would really appreciate.
They would ask for unlimited wireless access at all concourses and halls after the immigration checkpoints, without the need for a password, or card purchase. It is a very profitable airport and can afford to provide a few complimentary services in its shopping and restaurant malls.
After getting a password for 15 minutes internet access, the session will be interrupted by a message stating you need to buy a card from King Power Duty Free, or any of the other shops it controls in the concourses to stay on line. Now passengers have to pack their laptops and take a walk to the nearest shop to buy a card which will have a new password. The card costs Bt250 for one hour.
It’s thumbs down on this one. Recommend a rethink that focuses on giving passengers what they need rather than what airports officials want to earn a few more points on a ranking score card.
King Power?
That is all I need to know.
Thank you for reporting this. Now I know that I will never buy wireless in the airport. Thank you, TTRweekly for providing this valuable service. I mean it.
If the PM of Thailand is serious about cleaning up the airport mess, he can start by revisiting all the deals signed with King Power.
Changi Terminal 3 even has a free cinema showing new movies, so why can’t these clowns get their acts together and provide a simple service? Changi also has excellent free internet access in numerous locations, and even in the bowels of the basement you can get a signal. I suspect that AOT must employ some of the dumbest, most corrupt officials at any major airport in the world. It is a wonder the planes can land and take off at all.
Why does AOT keep throwing up walls.
Wrong question. Better to ask: why doesn’t King Power ever get busted? That is key to whether this place ever gets a decent airport. But I guess we all know the answer……