PORT OF SEATTLE 
MEMORANDUM 
COMMISSION AGENDA               Item No.      4e 
ACTION ITEM 
Date of Meeting      May 24, 2016 
DATE:    May 16, 2016 
TO:      Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
FROM:   Wayne Grotheer, Director, Aviation Project Management Group 
Dave Soike, Director, Aviation Facilities and Capital Program 
SUBJECT:  Wi-Fi Enhancements Phase 1 Construction Authorization (CIP #C800585) 
Amount of This Request:        $7,239,000   Source of Funds:   Airport Development 
Fund 
Est. Total Project Cost:         $10,676,000 
Est. State and Local Taxes:        $322,000 
ACTION REQUESTED 
Request Commission authorization for the Chief Executive Officer to advertise and execute
contracts for the first phase of construction of the Wi-Fi Enhancement Project (CIP #C800585) at
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for an estimated cost of $7,239,000 and to increase the
project's overall budget to $10,676,000 for additional scope. 
SYNOPSIS 
The Wi-Fi Enhancement project will replace an existing, outdated Wi-Fi system used throughout
much of the Airport with a higher performing, wireless network with modern Wi-Fi access
points to better meet the needs of passengers, Airport tenants, and airlines. It will also provide
new ramp level Wi-Fi coverage at airport gates. The proposed technology enhancement will
support current needs as well as the anticipated growth in the number of connected devices,
requirements for improved bandwidth for newer mobile devices, and extend much needed
coverage in the terminal and on the ramp. 
This first phase request provides Wi-Fi improvements to the ramp and concourse levels of
Concourse C and D as well as the ramp levels of Concourses A, B, and the South Satellite, as
well as ticketing level security checkpoint locations. A second phase of this project will include
Wi-Fi improvements in the Main Terminal Bagwell, Bag-Claim, Gina Marie Lindsey Hall,
Satellite Transit System Platforms and the interior of the South Satellite. 
BACKGROUND 
The existing Wi-Fi system at the Airport shares use of cellular radio equipment, which was
installed with the AT&T Wireless Distributed Antenna System (DAS) in 2004-2005. The DAS
has provided Wi-Fi coverage for the past decade but the design was optimized for cellular phone

Template revised May 30, 2013.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
May 16, 2016 
Page 2 of 6 
service and its Wi-Fi capabilities have become outdated. The Port assumed ownership of the
DAS-based Wi-Fi access points in 2009 as part of the AT&T contract. The DAS-based Wi-Fi
infrastructure no longer meets the performance needs of the Airport's passengers and tenants for
Internet access, has a limited coverage area, and does not support the latest Wi-Fi network
standards used by today's mobile devices. 
PROJECT JUSTIFICATION AND DETAILS 
The project will install network backbone infrastructure and Wi-Fi access points to provide highspeed
, wireless Internet access at portions of the Airport. This project, when combined with the
recently finished Fiber to Backstands Project, will provide a complete upgraded Wi-Fi
experience for users at the Airport. The North Satellite Wi-Fi improvements will be completed as
part of the NorthSTAR program. 
There are two primary types of high-speed wireless access targeted by this project. The first type
of high-speed wireless access will provide much improved Internet access for passengers and
tenants in public areas of the Airport. Mobile devices will connect to new Wi-Fi access points
installed inside the facility, which replace the existing DAS Wi-Fi access points in the terminal
and concourses. The new Wi-Fi access points will enable higher bandwidth, support more
connected devices and comply with the latest Wi-Fi standards used by today's mobile devices.
The density of wireless access point coverage will significantly reduce connection problems
while providing higher download and upload speeds for passengers and airline staff. 
The second type will support airport, airline, and tenant operations outside the facility on the
ramp level at passenger loading bridges. The "ramp wireless network" will be accessed by
both handheld and vehicle-mounted mobile devices, and by new aircraft avionics systems.
The design of the enhanced Wi-Fi network will support Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) that
will be configured for secure Airport, airline, and tenant operations.
This project began as four separate Wi-Fi projects (CIPs C800585, C800622, C800624, and
C800633). During project definition, earlier budget estimates were refined, and staff decided to
proceed with a unified Airport-wide Wi-Fi project, with a larger scope, to be constructed in two
phases. After design authorization, the project utilized an on-site survey team with radio
frequency measuring devices to more accurately determine the number of access points needed
to meet the required level of service. During this survey, an increased number of Wi-Fi access
points were determined to be needed to meet the level of service the Wi-Fi system will need with
the growing number of passengers and other users at the Airport. This has increased the project
scope 22% and required a budget increase of 8% from $9,880,000 to $10,676,000. 
Project Objectives 
This project will install high-speed, wireless Internet access throughout the main terminal,
concourses, and ramp with the exception of the North Satellite, where that scope is included in
the NorthSTAR project.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
May 16, 2016 
Page 3 of 6 
Scope of Work 
When both phases of this project are complete, the Airport will have an enhanced Wi-Fi system
that will provide high-speed Internet access for mobile device users throughout Concourses C
and D, the South Satellite, Ticketing and security checkpoints, the Central Terminal, Baggage
Claim, the Gina Marie Lindsey Hall, north and south Satellite Transit System (STS) platforms,
and operational areas including the Airport ramp, passenger loading bridges, and baggage makeup
areas. Improvements to the Wi-Fi infrastructure for the North Satellite and to the interior of
Concourses A and B are being completed by other projects. 
The ramp Wi-Fi system will be supported by the installation of weather tight microdistribution
cabinets, which provide network backbone connectivity for the ramp Wi-Fi
access points. These will be installed on the exterior of the building at the ramp level of
concourses and South Satellite mounted on or in close proximity to passenger loading
bridges. Micro-distribution cabinets will provide the infrastructure necessary for the ramp
wireless network as well as other anticipated network connectivity. Micro-distribution
cabinets will also provide the required network connectivity for Wi-Fi improvements to the
interior of Concourse C hold rooms. 
Certain areas and functionality are not included within the above scope of work. While Wi-Fi
access points will be installed in hold rooms and aircraft gate areas, this project will not
install them within concession lease spaces which were included in the Airport's Dining and
Retail program and associated projects. 
Schedule 
Commission Authorization for Phase 1 Construction         Q2 2016 
Issue Notice to Proceed                             Q3 2016 
Construction Completion for Phase 1                   Q3 2017 
Commission Authorization for Phase 2 Construction         Q4 2016 
Construction Completion for Phase 2                   Q3 2017 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 
Budget/Authorization Summary              Capital     Expense   Total Project 
Original Budget                      $9,880,000          $0    $9,880,000 
Budget Adjustments                    $796,000         $0     $796,000 
Revised Budget                     $10,676,000         $0   $10,676,000 
Previous Authorizations                 $1,946,000          $0    $1,946,000 
Current request for authorization            $7,239,000          $0    $7,239,000 
Total Authorizations, including this request     $9,185,000          $0    $9,185,000 
Remaining budget to be authorized         $1,491,000          $0    $1,491,000 
Total Estimated Project Cost             $10,676,000          $0   $10,676,000

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
May 16, 2016 
Page 4 of 6 
Project Cost Breakdown                     This Request       Total Project 
Design Phase                                   $0         $1,897,000 
Construction Phase                           $6,917,000         $8,338,000 
Sales Tax                                  $322,000          $441,000 
Total                                      $7,239,000         $10,676,000 
Budget Status and Source of Funds 
The Wi-Fi Enhancements Projects CIP (C800585) is included in the 2016-2020 capital budget
and plan of finance with a budget of $9,880,000. The budget increase of 796,000 was transferred
from the Aeronautical Allowance CIP (C800404) resulting in no net change to the Airport capital
budget. The funding source will be the Airport Development Fund. 
Financial Analysis and Summary 
CIP Category             Renewal/ Enhancement 
Project Type              Renewal and Replacement 
Risk adjusted discount rate     N/A 
Key risk factors             N/A 
Project cost for analysis        $10,676,000 
Business Unit (BU)          Terminal Building and Airport Apron Area cost centers 
Effect on business performance  NOI will increase 
IRR/NPV             N/A 
CPE Impact             $0.06 in 2018 
Lifecycle Cost and Savings 
Although the enhanced Wi-Fi system provides significant performance improvements and better
coverage, renewal and replacement of some network components will be required in the three- to
five-year time frame to keep pace with innovation in the wireless industry and compliance with 
potentially upgraded Port network standards. 
A software license and maintenance fee estimated increase of $20,000 will be budgeted in the
ICT Operating Budget. Recurring Port labor costs to maintain the system are not expected to
change as a result of this project. 
STRATEGIES AND OBJECTIVES 
This project supports the Port's Century Agenda objective of being the west coast gateway of
choice for international travel. Airport travelers and tenants have come to expect high speed Wi-
Fi access while moving through the Airport and while waiting for their flights. In addition,
airlines and Airport tenants are transitioning toward wireless transfer of data for their business
operations. Replacing the existing DAS-based Wi-Fi system with a new Wi-Fi system will
accommodate public, business, and operational expectations for the foreseeable future.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
May 16, 2016 
Page 5 of 6 
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED 
Alternative 1)  Status Quo  Do not proceed with construction of this Wi-Fi Enhancement
project. 
Cost Implications: $500,000 in design costs would be expensed. 
Pros: 
Costs to deploy new networks could be passed to the tenants. 
Some Wi-Fi coverage would remain via the existing Distributed Antenna System. 
Cons: 
Accessibility, stability and speed of current system does not meet customer needs,
encouraging tenants to deploy their own Wi-Fi networks. 
Wi-Fi access will vary throughout the airport, and users would need to switch
between different networks to continue usage as they moved 
No Wi-Fi would be available on the ramp for use by Operations, Airlines and other
stakeholders. 
Concourses A and B will have remarkably better (20 times faster) coverage than the
other concourses at the airport due to completion of the Concourse A and B Airport
Fiber to Backstand project. 
This is not the recommended alternative. 
Alternative 2)  Proceed with construction of phase 1 but reduce scope and do not increase the
project budget at this time. 
Cost Implications: $9,880,000 (original project budget) 
Pros: 
Construction could occur for portions of the planned Wi-Fi Enhancement project on a
selected basis. 
High priority areas could be completed. 
Cons: 
Some project redesign would be required to determine where to remove coverage and
how to re-phase the design and construction. 
The overall Airport Wi-Fi coverage would be spotty. 
Reduced coverage would likely result in "dead zones" with no coverage. 
Customer satisfaction of the Airport's Wi-Fi coverage would continue to decline. 
This is not the recommended alternative.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
May 16, 2016 
Page 6 of 6 
Alternative 3)  Proceed with construction of phase 1 and increase the project budget and scope. 
Cost Estimate: $10,676,000 (new project budget) 
Pros: 
The Airport will fulfill the need for more accessibility, stability and speed in the Wi-
Fi system. 
Installation of high priority areas could be completed. 
Uniform Wi-Fi coverage under the same network will be available throughout the
Airport. 
The Airport's Wi-Fi system will provide one of the fastest Wi-Fi systems in a North
American airport, increasing the Airport's customer satisfaction and Operational
efficiency. 
The density of wireless access point coverage will significantly reduce connection
problems while providing higher download and upload speeds for passengers, airline
staff and airport operations. 
Cons: 
This is the most expensive alternative. 
This is the recommended alternative. 
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST 
PowerPoint Presentation 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
August 5, 2014  Commission authorized design for $1,891,000.