Airport buses to offer broadband access

Passengers may soon be able to use VoIP solutions on the bus on the way to several UK airports as broadband connectivity is to be installed.

Swedish company Icomera will provide the necessary Wi-Fi and GPS hardware following an agreement with Excel Passenger Logistics in the UK and the service will be operated on Excel's hourly 'airportbycoach' services to Manchester and Liverpool airports, as well as Stansted.

The broadband connection will be available free of charge to passengers who are expecting better web access regardless of where they are in the world.

Graham Hayden, managing director at Excel Passenger Logistics, said: "For international passengers, the presence of free Wi-Fi avoids expensive data roaming fees that make using 3G connections aboard so unattractive."

He added that having broadband access in luxury coaches could also play a part in convincing passengers to leave their cars at home.

Wi-Fi networks are already widely available in UK airports and departure lounges for the benefit of passengers waiting for their flight.