In the park. At a bar. On a city bench. Anywhere you wish you would have internet access. The recent ordinance approved by Houston’s City Council would make the city one of the largest wireless networks in the nation. The plan is for all of Houston’s 600-sqaure-miles to be meshed into one single Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network that would enable users to logon from virtually any corner of city’s expansive geographical region. While no specific date has been identified for this initiation, city officials are confident Houston will soon be a model for widespread wireless connectivity. “This is a very important initiative for Houston as it will bring the consumer cost of broadband down significantly…,” said Mayor Bill White. “It will provide a scarce resource to help our low-income households have access, benefiting students at home, helping telecommuters for whom childcare or transportation creates limitations, and benefiting telemedicine in the future.” Over at the airports, though, travelers are already getting a taste of what that connectivity feels like. Whether they are waiting for their baggage at a below ground level, sitting at coffee shop in between flights or just passing the time next to their corresponding gate, passengers at Bush and Hobby airports have the option of obtaining Wi-Fi service while in Houston. For about $10 they can obtain 24 hours of internet access from Sprint. The telecommunications company has been offering this service to Houston Airport System travelers since 2004. Business travelers especially appreciate the service. “Being away from the office for up to two weeks at a time can get me behind with emails and other projects I’m working on,” says David Castleberry, an advertising executive from Redding, California. “Being able to access my email and research information for upcoming meetings really keeps me ahead of the game.” Staying ahead of the game is also what the airports are hoping to accomplish. George Bush Intercontinental Airport Manager, Charles Wall says the wireless initiative gives the airports a modern edge that keeps them convenient. Sprint representatives agree.

Houston is fast becoming one of the most attractive locations for business ventures.

“Sprint’s Wi-Fi service throughout the Houston Airport System allows all travelers the convenience of accessing critical business data, e-mails, recent vacation photos or popular web sites,” said John Moriarty, director of business sales for Sprint in Houston. “Because of the connected nature of our business and personal lives, we have come to depend on technology conveniences, such as Wi-Fi at airports. The availability of technology services at airports allows easier and more convenient travel for all passengers.”

Throughout the airport, people – from flight crews to passengers – can be found using their laptop computers to access the Wi-Fi service. Wireless access, though, is not the only way Houston’s airports keep passengers connected.

Through a partnership with concessionaire Smarte Carte, the Houston Airport System offers what is known as the Charge Carte to travelers.

Charge Carte is a self-serve, rapid-charging kiosk with multiple connections for today’s most popular models of cell phones, PDAs and even the iPod. For $3 this device can charge virtually any handheld device in about 30 minutes.

“Our focus is helping airports make travel easier and more convenient for travelers and travelers depend on their cell phones to stay connected to business and family,” said Arthur Spring, Smarte Carte’s senior vice president of business development. “One Charge Carte kiosk turns one standard outlet at the airport into twelve charging stations.”

It is the same as the charging cords used in vehicles, but twice as fast. Since Smarte Carte began using Charge Carte kiosks in December, 2005, they have had approximately 30,000 uses.

Most passengers consider the devices life-savers.

Sandy Tatum recently arrived in Houston from Weston, Nebraska, with a dead cell phone. She thought she’d be out of touch with her family back home because she did not have her charger, but then she found a Charge Carte.

“As soon as the plane landed, I turned on my cell phone to find a near-dead battery,” said Tatum. “I passed by this machine (Charge Carte) and didn’t know what it was at first, but became relieved when I found out I could charge my phone to call my husband to let him know I arrived safely.”

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