NYC Airports Connected and Ready for Busy Summer Travel Season, Is Yours?

In a world where constant connectivity is critical, airports are no exception. With record numbers of passengers expected to pass through US airports this summer travel season, the demand for higher speed, and a more robust network capable of handling the increased passengers, as well as the higher connectivity demand for the airport’s infrastructure has been on top of many airports’ upgrade lists. 

According to Bloomberg, US airline passenger levels this summer are projected to be “comfortably above” pre-pandemic numbers. But this increase in passenger numbers is straining current network infrastructures. Fiber optic upgrades continue to be essential for airports, especially for those with multiple terminals and large numbers of passengers. 

Electrical installer Hugh O’Kane Electric (HOK), led by President Hugh R. O’Kane, has been the leading contractor with New York City’s LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy  (JFK) airport upgrades on their fiber optics communications network. Under LaGuardia’s multi-billion upgrade plan, which included replacing aging terminals and modernizing its infrastructure,  HOK completed a significant upgrade and modernization of the airport’s fiber optic network and underground conduit infrastructure. This project was part of a larger effort to improve the airport's technology infrastructure and provide better connectivity for passengers, employees, and airlines. The project improved the arresting speed of the old network, enhanced its reliability, and capacity, which had been struggling to keep up with the growing demands of modern air travel.

For JFK’s modernization, HOK modernized the airport’s fiber optic infrastructure to better support its wireless network throughout the terminals. This involved digging up the existing infrastructure, laying new cables and conduits, and then carefully routing them to ensure optimal performance and reliability. The new network provides faster and more reliable connectivity for passengers, allowing them to stream content, accessing real-time flight information, and use other online services while at the airport. Airport operations also benefited from fiber optic connectivity, enabling airlines to access their reservation systems, track cargo, and monitor flights in real-time. 

Recently, there has been an arresting development in the world of fiber optic connectivity. The U.S. Department of Justice is pursuing an indictment against several Chinese nationals for stealing trade secrets from American companies, including fiber optic technology. The indictment alleges that these individuals accessed information related to the manufacture of fiber optic cables, including the design, production, and manufacturing process. The allegations highlight the significance of fiber optic connectivity in the modern world and its potential value. 

Airports, however, continue to move forward with upgrading their fiber optic connectivity for broadband services. Facility managers understand the importance of providing high-speed internet access to passengers and enhancing their operations. In doing so, airports are making a significant investment in their future and preparing for the needs of tomorrow's travelers.

In today's digital age, passengers expect seamless connectivity, and airports are no exception. Fiber optic telecommunications networks are the backbone of high-speed internet access and provide numerous benefits to airports and their passengers. With fiber optic networks, airports can provide faster and more reliable internet access, allowing passengers to stream, access social media, and stay connected with their work and personal lives. This improves the overall airport experience, making it a more comfortable and convenient travel experience.

Upgrades to fiber optic telecommunications networks enable airports to also improve their operations. Airport service providers access real-time flight information, track cargo, and monitor operations. This allows them to respond more quickly to any issues that may arise, improving the overall efficiency of the airport. Additionally, fiber optic telecommunications networks provide enhanced security and surveillance capabilities, allowing airports to monitor and respond to any potential threats.

Fiber optic connectivity for broadband services is rapidly becoming an essential requirement for airports. The benefits are numerous, and the investment pays off in the long run. Airports, however, must choose the right service provider to ensure the success of their fiber optic connectivity projects. This institutional expertise Hugh O’Kane is able to provide to airport authorities is paramount in order to design and implement a network that can successfully enhance the service offerings. This lineage and industry expertise has afforded Hugh O’Kane a competitive edge because it has expert knowledge of an area’s infrastructure and is able to work within the required parameters of existing power supply networks much more easily. In doing so, Hugh O’Kane is able to take the time required to provide a robust fiber optic infrastructure needed to ensure continuous, robust connectivity for airport facilities and passengers alike. As the world becomes more connected, airports that invest in fiber optic connectivity will be better equipped to meet the modern traveler’s needs and be able to enhance its operations.

2022: A Year of Connectivity, Expansion, and Community Development

Hugh O’Kane Electric closed 2022 with notable achievements for New York City and its boroughs. From providing seamless, uninterrupted power to universities and corporations, to connecting communities and expanding 5G networks via fiber optic and wireless broadband throughout neighborhoods and public transportation stations. Here are our top five most notable projects that kept New York connected, electrified, and operational:

1.    Closing NYC’s Digital Divide with Link5G

The Big Apple in 2022 became more digitally connected. New York’s digital divide shrank as its broadband network expanded throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and above 96th Street in Manhattan. LinkNYC, one of the largest public Wi-Fi networks projects to ever roll out, is now improving wireless technology coverage all over Gotham and its neighboring boroughs. The public-private partnership by consortium CityBridge and ZenFi Networks provides free public Wi-Fi access and community services via a series of kiosks rising up throughout neighborhoods that have had insufficient internet access. To date, Hugh O’Kane Electric has installed more than 75 Links5G poles through this project. 

2.    Opening of  LinkNYC Gig Centers in Harlem, Queens, and Brooklyn

It's hard to believe that some of America’s most populous urban centers remain without reliable broadband service. In certain New York City neighborhoods, entire communities — Up to 500,000 households, according to Bloomberg – remain unconnected. The New York City government cites more than one-third (34%) of households in the Bronx lack broadband at home, compared to 30% in Brooklyn, 26% in Queens, 22% in Staten Island, and 21% in Manhattan. In 2022, Hugh O’Kane helped to establish “Gig Centers” in neighborhoods where residents did not have adequate broadband. Today, the first three Gig Centers are providing robust broadband connections in Brooklyn, Queens, and Harlem.

3.    Thanksgiving Fiber Emergency Fix

While others were enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with friends and family, Hugh O’Kane technicians were already at work addressing a major customer outage. Beginning Tuesday night, November 22, one of Hugh O’Kane Electric’s largest telecom customers had a major network outage involving multiple high count backbone fiber cables being cut in the street. Hugh O’Kane responded Tuesday night and went to work with two street crews placing multiple high count fiber optic backbone cables.

Beginning Wednesday night three splice teams and testers were dispatched to work around the clock on this network outage. In all, between 8-12 technicians worked non-stop from Tuesday evening through Sunday morning along with multiple foremen, expeditors and PMs assembling these crews and communicating and coordinating with our customer.

HOK continues to be thankful for the men and women of the Company who sacrificed their time with family in support of our loyal customers. 

4.    Completion of 6-year, Full-building Infrastructure Renovation of a Global Bank’s Headquarters

Large financial service corporations require a highly reliable uninterrupted power supply. With millions of transactions and trillions of dollars circumventing the globe daily, financial institutions expect uninterrupted power for seamless and secure transfer of funds and the assurance they can close their transactions every time with no operational interruptions. 

One such bank recognized that it was time for extensive renovations and upgrades to its New York City-based headquarters fiber optic and backup power supply. The entire renovation process executed by Hugh O’Kane happened in real time, during the bank’s daily operational hours, with no interruptions.

5.    Continued Expansion of the NYU Co-Gen Power Network

Nestled in the heart of Greenwich Village, New York University (NYU) once again needed expand it’s Co-Generation (co-gen) plant system. Hugh O’Kane Electric built and connected numerous buildings around the NYU campus to a co-gen power network. As one of the largest private co-gen plants in the city, it was imperative that continual power continued to flow throughout the main campus points in case conventional electrical grids fail – as experienced back in 2012 during Super Storm Sandy. This upgraded co-gen system now further allows buildings throughout the campus to be independent from the ConEd grid for heat, cooling, and power. 

Today, nearly 40 buildings are powered from the system, also providing some with heating and others with chilled water for cooling. This upgrade also aligned with New York City’s PlaNYC Climate Challenge, drafted by Mayor Bloomberg in 2007, which instructed universities and colleges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2017. 

Q&A: Partners in ARMS

We were featured in TED magazine in the December 2022 issue. To read more, click here

Hugh O'Kane at Queens Gigabit Center Launch Event

Hugh R O’Kane spoke at the Queens Gigabit Center Launch Event Friday, Dec. 2, at the Allen Community Center for Senior Citizens on another successful project that is further increasing digital equity to NYC. Hugh O’Kane was a partner of this 3rd LinkNYC Gigabit Center launch, and collaborated with the city of New York, ZenFi Networks and our team of Local 3 labor workers who tirelessly worked to connect this center that supports digital literacy among older New Yorkers within the senior center.