Trivandrum International Airport, located in the heart capital
city of Kerala, India, stands as a bustling gateway to the vibrant city of
Thiruvananthapuram,
often hailed as the "Evergreen City of India." Welcoming around 4 to 5 million
passengers annually,
including tourists from around the globe, the airport plays a pivotal role in connecting
people
to the cultural and natural wonders of Kerala. Recognizing the vital role of reliable
WiFi
connectivity in today's digital age, Indio Networks undertook a monumental project to
transform
the WiFi experience at Trivandrum International Airport.
The scope of the project was immense, with Terminal 1 catering to domestic flights
and
Terminal 2 servicing both international and domestic flights. There were several
challenges,
including covering large areas, segmenting WiFi access for airport staff and guests,
managing
high-density user traffic, and collaborating with multiple third-party system
integrators.
However, the primary objective remained clear: to provide fast, reliable, and free WiFi
service
to millions of passengers while seamlessly integrating with existing airport systems.
Indio Networks provided an end-to-end solution, leveraging cutting-edge technology to
address the complex requirements of the airport. The deployment included Indio's managed
PoE
switches, 100 OpenWiFi WiFi-6 access points, compliant with PM-WANI standards, and
managed through the OpenWiFi controller version V.2.9. Collaborating with BSNL,
Indio ensured seamless integration and reliable performance. To authenticate users, a
captive portal
with OTP-based authentication was implemented, ensuring secure access to the network.
To manage the fair usage of bandwidth, time-based and
bandwidth-based policies were implemented, allowing users a daily time quota of 60
minutes and a total
bandwidth limit of 500MB. The cloud-based controller facilitated simplified network
management,
intuitive login experiences forpassengers, and remote troubleshooting capabilities,
ensuring
uninterrupted connectivity for all users. Additionally, comprehensive user data logging
and archiving
procedures were established, maintaining records for a period of one year.
Since its deployment in January 2024, the WiFi service has witnessed
remarkable success,
with approximately 4,800 users consuming 1.4TB of data every day. As
the airport authorities
advertise the service across the airport, we expect the usage to
increase further in the coming
months. The implementation of bandwidth management policies has
enabled the airport to ensure
equitable WiFi experiences for all passengers, while the customized
captive portal has simplified
the login process, enhancing user satisfaction.
The project's completion to the satisfaction of Trivandrum
airport authorities has resulted
in increased WiFi usage, enhanced user experience, and significant
improvements in passenger
satisfaction ratings. Positive sentiments expressed towards the
airport management reflect the
success of Indio's transformative WiFi deployment.
In conclusion, Indio’s collaboration with Trivandrum International Airport exemplifies the power of innovative and open standard technology like OpenWiFi in boosting passenger connectivity. By overcoming challenges and delivering exceptional solutions, Indio Networks has not only elevated the WiFi experience but also contributed to enhancing the overall travel experience for millions of passengers visiting the "Evergreen City of India."