Free Wi-Fi Usage Jumps 412 Pct. At Logan Airport

BOSTON (AP) - The Massachusetts Port Authority Board says the number of passengers using its free wireless service to access the Internet at Boston's Logan International Airport jumped by 412 percent last year.

Massport CEO and Executive Director Thomas Kinton Jr. said on Monday that more than 1.4 million sessions were logged on its Wi-Fi network in 2010, compared with just over 349,300 in 2009.

That represents more than half of the more than 2.2 million sessions since Wi-Fi was first available at the airport in June 2004.

Peak periods reflected passenger volume in the terminals.

The free system was unveiled in January 2010 and is supported by advertising that users must view before accessing the Internet.

Massport and the service provider have upgraded 30 access points and are discussing additional improvements.