In the 1950s, new cars were designed with the mantra of “longer, lower, wider.” For hotel internet connectivity in the 21st century, the winning formula is faster, broader, more reliable.
Hotels need a modern digital infrastructure that can easily scale to higher bandwidth speeds in support of guests’ connectivity experiences, which can range from self-service and contactless interactions to reliable delivery of video streaming entertainment options.
Andrew Craver, vice president, segment marketing for Spectrum Enterprise, said that a fully managed Wi-Fi solution for hotel properties that includes installation, service and support will help ensure a strong connection wherever and whenever guests need it.
“Managed Wi-Fi designed for hotels will provide guests the best experience possible, providing fast, seamless coverage along with hospitality-specific features that benefit property operations, such as integration with existing property management systems, the ability to set per-room access rates, create custom splash pages and manage conference connections,” Craver said.
Craver suggested that hoteliers consider working with a managed network services provider to help ensure sufficient bandwidth to support the growing needs of their guests. For example, managed networks use intelligent routing to maximize network performance, steering data traffic to the best-performing paths so that guests—as well as staff—have access to the fastest connection.
In addition to planning for sufficient bandwidth, Craver said hoteliers need to ensure that they are safeguarding their networks (and those using them) from cybersecurity threats. An effective managed security solution provides hoteliers an end-to-end, around-the-clock solution that monitors, flags and protects against potential cyberattacks.
“Partnering with a technology provider that understands growing connectivity needs and offers hospitality-specific solutions will ensure a better guest experience and free up in-house IT staff to focus on other priorities,” Craver said. “Enhancements to connectivity, including the usage of smart technologies and Internet of Things devices can help improve operations and improve efficiencies while contributing to the overall guest experience.”
Ask the Right Questions
Hoteliers should know that there is a level of flexibility that carriers offer when it comes to increasing connectivity bandwidth, said John Troutwine, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Broadband Hospitality.
According to Troutwine, whether that carrier relationship is direct or via a technology aggregator partner, a conversation that simply starts with, “We are currently contracted at this level through X date, but we would like to consider an increase” often results in positive offers that reflect the changing market conditions (for example, more bandwidth for the current price).
“It doesn’t hurt to ask this question every six months, the landscape is changing that fast,” he suggested.
As far as evolving guest needs, Troutwine advised property owners and managers to continually evaluate their Wi-Fi product as it is presented to guests. How many devices does it enable? What is the free bandwidth ceiling per device? What are the appropriate paid tier products and do they match the reality of what guests want to do? And, does their current network (switches, cabling, access points) actually have the ability to deliver the increased bandwidth that a larger circuit can provide to the property?
“These are all appropriate questions to ask the current network partner or any potential new partner so there is complete confidence that any investments will result in real deliverables to guests,” Troutwine said.
Future-Proofing Your Network
Hoteliers can ensure they are providing the level of connectivity their guests can rely on by utilizing the ever-improving Wi-Fi standards and ensuring that a professional survey is completed for their site, followed by post-installation verification of complete coverage, said Rafael van den Berg, head of network operations and director of research and development, Hotel Internet Services.
“You can future-proof your network by ensuring its technology meets not only the current need but the potential future need of your guests,” van den Berg said. “Additionally, ensuring that redundancy is taken into account in your network solution will help avoid costly outages that detract from the guest experience. Maintaining your network to the latest Wi-Fi standards through proactive monitoring and upgrades allows for a more seamless and consistent connection for your guests as technology evolves and devices adopt new Wi-Fi technologies.”
A Rapid Evolution
Kim Twiggs, associate vice president of market development at DIRECTV, noted that in-room entertainment is rapidly evolving to align with changing consumer behaviors.
“Central to these developments is the necessity for robust connectivity, which underpins not only entertainment but all forms of digital engagement within hotel settings,” she said.
According to Twiggs, DIRECTV’s research indicates that while 79 percent of guests are satisfied with the in-room Wi-Fi speed, this still leaves approximately 20 percent whose connectivity needs are unmet.
“As reliance on app-based and on-demand content grows, the demand for strong, seamless broadband becomes increasingly critical,” she said. “Inadequate connectivity can drastically affect the overall guest experience by hindering access to desired content and services.”
Keys to Choosing a Provider
When choosing a Wi-Fi provider, there are a few key aspects that hoteliers should consider to guarantee they are offering the highest level of connectivity, said Corey Rhodes, CEO of Enseo. These include:
- Equipment. Select a provider that is an authorized reseller of enterprise-grade equipment that is built for commercial settings. When comparing offerings, hotels need to be aware of what equipment vendors propose.
- Dashboard. Having a meaningful dashboard that shows all necessary Wi-Fi reporting metrics is imperative to monitor and measure the health of the network. Enseo’s dashboard, for example, presents information including bandwidth, online/offline status of devices, down devices, number of guests on networks, and the amount guests have paid for monetized tiers.
- Support. Technology isn’t perfect, so there will be times when support is needed. To ensure connectivity for guests, it’s critical to have a provider that has a team of qualified experts for all customer support needs to ensure that any interruption to service is resolved quickly.
“Optimal connectivity begins with a tailored approach to network design, emphasizing coverage, capacity, and security,” Rhodes said. “A robust infrastructure, including commercial-grade hardware and strategically positioned access points, ensures comprehensive coverage. In addition, regular system updates and proactive maintenance are essential to prevent downtime and preserve network integrity.”
Looking forward, Rhodes said that scalability will be a key sticking point. As demand for bandwidth and the number of simultaneous devices connected increases, solutions must be designed to adapt seamlessly, ensuring that future technologies can be integrated smoothly without disrupting existing services.
Published by By Ron Rajecki Jun 1, 2024 8:00am | Hotel Management