There’s so much to consider when running a hotel or any type of hospitality venue. And in 2020, that number has increased exponentially? Now that Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) has been introduced, is it critical that it be considered? The answer depends, really, on if your business model focuses on giving guests what they want and if you aim for repeat business. Oh, it is? And, you do? Well, then… read on.
It turns out, reliable WiFi is extremely important to business travelers. According to Motorola Solutions’ “The Growing Importance of WiFi in Hotels,” a recent study reveals that more 90% of business travelers want reliable WiFi access in their rooms, while a third stated they would not return to a hotel that did not meet this expectation. Another study reports that one in three people travelling for leisure purposes would not return to a hotel with poor internet access. In other words, lesser-quality Internet service could translate into a painful loss of business.
Many travelers have, in fact, ranked quality Wi-Fi is their #1 hotel amenity. That’s why it is incumbent upon hospitality businesses today to offer high-quality, seamless connectivity for their customers. Smart network infrastructure from manufacturers such as Extreme Networks meets the unique business and physical needs of the mobile-driven hospitality environment, including switching, centralized management, and contextual network analytics. And Extreme offers the ability to outfit customized, high-quality guest wireless across any property regardless of the existing infrastructure deployed, enabling organizations with the ability to:
- Connect with guests across an environment, regardless of the existing infrastructure deployed
- Harness actionable analytics and better understand guest engagement behaviors and preferences
- Identify, secure, and manage the broad range of ‘Things” (or IoT) connecting to the network
- Leverage location-based services and create a value-added personalized experience.
So, what about this next generation of Wi-Fi? It is designed to work even better in high-user-density situations such as stadiums, airports, malls – and yes, hotels and convention centers – anywhere with a lot of simultaneous users, or even locations with a lot of Internet-enabled devices or applications such as videoconferencing that use a lot of bandwidth.
Wi-Fi 6 enables eight simultaneous communication streams, as well as implements beamforming technology to aim those streams more accurately at the receiver’s antenna. It also incorporates several other existing technologies, many from the cellular space, and uses them together in new ways to improve Wi-Fi performance in other ways. For example, more data can be transmitted per packet, and the available communication spectrum can be used more efficiently, making it easier for devices to find a clear path to the access point.
It’s important to note that Wi-Fi 6 is not just the next in a series of technology advancements, it’s a leap to the next level with visible benefits. And it’s designed specifically for high traffic applications, such as hotels. So, does it benefit you to upgrade? Absolutely. Do you NEED to? Well, that’s a question you should discuss with the Wi-Fi experts at Keenan Systems. They are available to help you answer these questions and more, allowing you to make an educated decision before moving forward. Connect with Keenan Systems to ensure you’re as relaxed and comfortable as you try to make your guests.