Travellers need not worry about missing important email messages in these internet-savvy airports.
BANGALURU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Bangalore, India
Wireless access: Connectivity is airport-wide. All airport users – both at the domestic and international terminals – can connect to the free internet at landside and airside. Upon opening their browsers, users need to input their mobile phone number onto the welcome homepage in order to get the password via a text message, so that they can connect online.
Computer terminals: For those without their own laptops or web-enabled devices, the domestic terminal has eight laptops located airside for the passengers' use. Outbound passengers need to have their own internet-enabled devices to go online as there are no computers at the international terminal.
Duration: One-hour time limit for wireless access and use of airport laptop
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Wireless access: The wireless access is available in the whole airport, including landside and airside. Internet surfers do not need to register upon log on.
Computer terminals: 10 workstations with internet access are available in a cluster at Concourse 1, where transit passengers pass through for their connecting flights.
Duration: No time limit on internet usage
HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Hongkong
Wireless access: The whole airport has Wi-Fi connectivity. For those who needs to connect their devices to a power outlet, there are power-plug clusters strategically located in the departure area.
Computer terminals: Near Gate 24 at the departure level is the Connect Zone, where eight workstations that are available around the clock for complimentary internet surfing. The Connect Zone also offers other business amenities such as fax and printing services, but at a price.
Duration: Unlimited usage for both wireless access and computer terminals
INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Yeongjong-Yongyu Island, South Korea
Wireless access: Free wireless access service is available to all airport users.
Computer terminals: Incheon Airport has a number of computer lounges inside its terminals. At landside, these spaces are located on the first and second floors, each with between 30 and 40 computers. Airside, all computer lounges are located on the third floor duty-free area, near gates 11, 31, 111 and 124. There are 22 workstations in each lounge, except for the lounge near G124 which has 18 units.
Duration: Unlimited usage for the wireless access at no charge. Using a computer terminal at an airside lounge is complimentary and has no time limit. However, airport users accessing a computer in a lounge landside have to pay KRW500 (US$0.44) for every 10 minutes.
KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Osaka, Japan
Wireless access: Free of charge in both landside and airside and available on every floor. There are areas in both the North Wing and South Wing where travellers can settle down to read their email messages.
Computer terminals: There are workstations available landside – 30 units each from first floor to the fourth. Airside, there are 11 workstations in the North wing and another 11 in the South wing.
Duration: Connecting to the wireless network is free of charge if you have your own laptop. For using the in-terminal workstation, however, it is only complimentary airside, with computer use limited to 10 minutes per passenger. For those using the computers landside, there is a fee of ¥100 (US$0.72) for every 10 minutes.
SINGAPORE CHANGI AIRPORT
Singapore
Wireless access: Available across Terminals 1 to 3 and the Budget Terminal. Passengers who need power plugs will find them around the departure waiting area.
Computer terminals: There are over 500 workstations scattered all over Changi Airport's airside area. They can be found near F&B QuickBites corners, lounging areas, within the gate hold-rooms, as well as other clusters dedicated to all these workstations.
Duration: Wireless access has no limit to usage and no charge. Using the workstation is complimentary but usage is programmed to terminate itself after 15 minutes.
Liu Hongzuo