Before flying off to the Democratic National Convention in North Carolina last week, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa touted the news that Los Angeles International Airport now offers free Wi-Fi service in its terminals.

It’s good news for travelers, but LAX -- the nation’s third-busiest airport -- is not breaking new ground. Several large airports across the country already offer free wireless Internet, including Mineta San Jose International Airport, San Francisco International Airport and Long Beach Airport.

Until last week, visitors to LAX had to pay a fee -- starting at $9.99 for an hour -- to jump on the Web. Now LAX visitors get free Wi-Fi for up to 45 minutes of regular access, or they can pay a fee of $4.95 for an hour of high-speed service or $7.95 for an uninterrupted 24-hour period.

“Given passenger expectations and trends at major airports and other public facilities, providing free Wi-Fi service at LAX allows us to meet the demands of today’s travelers,” Airport Director Gina Marie Lindsey said in a statement.


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