SpringNet becomes Wi-Fi provider at Springfield airport

SpringNet, a City Utilities of Springfield division that recently rolled out new branding, is the new Wi-Fi provider at the Springfield-Branson National Airport.

Jeff Bertholdi, director of SpringNet, dba SpringNet Broadband, said the internet provider reached "a mutual agreement" with the airport that makes it the official Wi-Fi provider "for the foreseeable future." He said the gigabit Wi-Fi service went live a few weeks ago.

"From the front curb all the way to the gates, you're going to be in one big Wi-Fi footprint, and the speeds are really phenomenal," Bertholdi said. "When you travel around the United States, you sort of expect there's going to be very fast, reliable Wi-Fi. Springfield just hasn't had that same feel."

Bertholdi said no money is changing hands as part of the agreement. Rather, SpringNet gets advertising opportunities when passengers log into the Wi-Fi service, as well as on digital signage and other areas throughout the airport.

He declined to disclose costs associated with the electronics and infrastructure installed to support the Wi-Fi network, but noted the airport provided cabling that was already in place.

Ren Luebbering, marketing and communications coordinator for the Springfield airport, said Nixa-based Total Highspeed LLC was its previous Wi-Fi provider.

"Fast Wi-Fi throughout the terminal is an amenity for passengers to have an exceptional experience at the airport," Luebbering said via email.

For SpringNet Broadband, the June 13 Springfield Cardinals game served as the official launch of its new branding that includes an updated logo.

Bertholdi said SpringNet Broadband worked with Portland, Oregon-based Pivot Group following a "bid nationwide for very specific broadband marketing firms." The cost for the new logo was nearly $50,000, Bertholdi said, noting Pivot is continuing marketing work for SpringNet as an ad-hoc provider.