The Calgary Airport Authority has announced its launch of eduroam, the secure, global Wi-Fi roaming service for students and researchers. Post-secondary students, researchers, and faculty passing through the Calgary International Airport (YYC) now have access to the trusted and secure internet service.
This represents the first airport in Alberta (and only the second in Canada) to provide eduroam connectivity to the academic community, joining over 36 airports worldwide. “This collaboration enhances our commitment to delivering world-class services to our guests,” says Megan Gupton, Chief Information Officer at The Calgary Airport Authority. “eduroam not only offers a seamless and secure internet connection but also empowers our academic travellers, allowing them to stay productive on the go.”
eduroam is a trusted and secure wireless network that allows students, faculty members, and researchers to automatically (and securely) connect to the internet while visiting other participating institutions and sites. This service enables them to remain productive and engaged with their academic pursuits, wherever they may be.
A local collaboration
The inspiration behind the YYC eduroam project came from University of Calgary Associate Vice-President (Research) and Director of Research Services, Dr. Robert Thompson. After visiting Europe on a research trip, and experiencing eduroam in airports there, he asked his Chief Information Officer, Trevor Poffenroth, what it would take to bring the service to Calgary. Poffenroth connected the YYC airport to Cybera (Alberta’s research and education network facilitator) and CANARIE (Cybera’s federal partner and the operator of eduroam in Canada) to implement the service.
“The goal of getting Albertans better connected has taken a dramatic leap forward with the launch of eduroam at the Calgary International Airport,” says Barb Carra, President and CEO of Cybera. “This service will positively impact Alberta’s academic community, and the thousands of global visitors that come through Calgary daily. The announcement today reaffirms the importance of community partnerships coming together to create a more connected and secure world.”
“As the national operator of eduroam in Canada, we’re thrilled to welcome the Calgary International Airport to the network of more than 750 sites across Canada that offer local and visiting students, faculty, and researchers secure and seamless connectivity,” says Mark Wolff, Chief Technology Officer for CANARIE. “Our ongoing collaboration with our partner, Cybera, has helped to extend eduroam to a growing number of Alberta sites where students, researchers, and faculty live, work, and learn.”
This connection continues YYC’s efforts to provide guests with the tools they need to stay connected while travelling through the airport. Offering eduroam to the academic community — including the 160,000 Albertans who can already access eduroam — aligns with their commitment to delivering a seamless and efficient travel experience for all those making their way through YYC.