Blog
Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) are the VIP terminals of the aviation world. Whether serving corporate executives, private charter passengers, or flight crews, FBOs are expected to deliver a premium experience—every time. And while amenities like leather lounges, valet services, and gourmet catering are front and center, there's another element quietly shaping the customer experience and operational efficiency: Wi-Fi.
At 7SIGNAL, we’ve learned firsthand—through our work with some of the world’s busiest hubs like Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Heathrow Airport in London that great Wi-Fi isn’t just a luxury in aviation. It’s an operational necessity.
The Digital Backbone of FBOs
FBOs may look like boutique lounges on the surface, but behind the scenes, they are complex operational environments. Pilots and crew rely on Wi-Fi for real-time weather updates, flight planning, and electronic manifests. Passengers expect fast, secure internet access for work or leisure, and increasingly, vendors—from catering to fuel services—depend on connected devices to stay in sync.
But FBOs face unique challenges:
- Large hangars and concrete structures that create RF interference
- Outdoor ramp areas requiring seamless wireless coverage
- A mix of ruggedized and commercial-grade networking equipment
- Lean IT teams supporting dozens or even hundreds of remote locations
The bottom line? When the Wi-Fi isn’t working, the entire operation feels it.
The Visibility Gap: Why Wi-Fi Problems Linger
Most FBOs—like many enterprises—rely on infrastructure tools that monitor the network from the inside-out. These solutions provide insight into hardware status or WAN availability, but they miss the most important perspective: the experience of the client device.
This is what we call the visibility gap and it’s where 7SIGNAL shines.
7SIGNAL: Built for the Edge of Aviation
7SIGNAL fills this critical gap with a unique outside-in approach to Wi-Fi and digital experience monitoring. Through a combination of software agents deployed on endpoint devices and cloud-managed sensors placed throughout facilities, 7SIGNAL gives IT teams complete visibility into how users and devices experience the wireless network—from the cockpit to the conference room.
For FBOs, this means:
- Proactive detection of issues before they impact operations
- Insights into interference sources, including other Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth, and even airport equipment like surveillance cameras
- Validation of new network deployments or expansions without expensive on-site surveys
- Centralized monitoring across all locations, allowing lean IT teams to support 100+ sites remotely
Unlike other solutions, 7SIGNAL is vendor-agnostic, meaning it works across environments with Cisco Meraki, HPE Aruba, Extreme, or any other combination of networking gear. That’s crucial for FBOs, where network architecture can vary dramatically from one site to the next.
Real-World Proven, Globally Deployed
Our work with major global airports gives us the credibility and expertise to support FBOs of any size. At Atlanta Airport, one of the busiest in the world, 7SIGNAL helps ensure reliable Wi-Fi for millions of passengers and thousands of employees. At Heathrow, we support high-density environments where operational uptime is non-negotiable.
FBOs may not see the same foot traffic, but they serve customers who expect excellence—and who remember when technology fails them.
In an Always-On World, Wi-Fi Can’t Be an Afterthought
Whether it’s keeping a fueling operation online, ensuring a security camera is streaming, or helping a CEO download a presentation before takeoff, Wi-Fi is mission-critical for today’s FBOs. And with the rise of IoT devices, cellular failover, and cloud-based workflows, the complexity is only increasing.
7SIGNAL is purpose-built for these challenges. We empower IT teams with the visibility, control, and intelligence they need to deliver exceptional digital experiences—without needing to be on-site or in the dark.
If your FBO operations span dozens—or hundreds—of sites, and your team is still flying blind when it comes to Wi-Fi performance, it’s time to close the visibility gap with 7SIGNAL.