BIA- Future Proofing on Converged Networks

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CIO 100 Winner: Bengaluru International Airport aims at making itself one of the most modern airports equipped with state-of the-art information and communication facilities in the world.

And to get there, S. Francis Rajan, head-ICT, BIAL, consistently comes up with innovative communication technology implementations. Installing IPTV across its campus was one of them. "But, the roll out of IPTV by TRAI approved operators in Bangalore had taken more time than expected. And we had to create a master TV infrastructure if we wanted BIAL to stay ahead," says Rajan.

To take the TV content feed outside the terminal building is a challenge as the airport needed to run coaxial cable across the campus. So, he decided to converge his IP network. "Now we are geared to deploy IPTV as we have a converged IP network across campus and hence IPTV content can be delivered to any office in the BIAL campus on a separate VLAN," says Rajan.

But Rajan didn't want to stop with just that. He also wanted to equip the airport with mobile check-ins - allowing passengers to check in using their Web-based mobile phones - which is a concept only a handful of airports around the world have. The converged network would help them deliver this in the future. "If the security mandate does allow mobile check-ins, then BIAL would be off the blocks with a few international airlines that have the facility for selective routes," he says.

Also, the IATA has an ongoing 'simplify the business' initiative and the mandate is for all airlines operating in India to conform to 2D bar code standards by 2010. IP convergence has made that possible for the airport. BIAL is the first airport to deploy 2D bar code scanners to accept gate check-ins.

But getting there wasn't easy.  "This is a new experience for all airlines in the country and for other stakeholders and acceptance of this mode was a challenge. Convincing the management and the board was another issue, but thanks to the confidence reposed by the management, we could see the fruits of our labor," says Rajan.

The project has not only helped the airport become the first one to comply fully with the IATA's mandate but also future-proofed it to accept mobile check-in, the next wave of travel.