A deal between chip giant Intel and construction firm Laing O'Rourke is likely to see wireless LAN (WLAN) access proliferate in new buildings.

Laing O'Rourke plans to equip several hundred of its 4,000-strong workforce with notebook PCs that use Intel's Centrino technology, integrating WLAN capabilities. As well as using wireless links for its own users, Laing O'Rourke also plans to put hotspots into developments such as Heathrow Terminal 5 and other commercial projects.

"Within our own internal processes, we identified the timely transfer of information as a process issue [that could be tackled with WLANs]," said Sam Simons, Laing O'Rourke director of strategy. "We were looking at considerable wasted time and effort because information was not there at the right time. Also, in order to compete on a technology basis, you have to be prepared to eat your own dog food."

Earlier this month, Intel and airport giant BAA said travellers to and from London's Heathrow airport will be able to gain access to wireless LAN links from this month via a temporary demonstration area that will remain until June. The hotspot will let users connect to email, the internet and their offices but coverage is limited to Terminal 1 at present.

In February, BAA launched a hotspot at Gatwick North; two additional hotspots will appear over the next few months at Stansted and Aberdeen airports.

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