By Alan Ewing
Excerpt:
High-speed wireless connectivity that’s reliable and secure has become one of the key amenities that guests demand. However, hotel owners are losing revenue because of poor wireless coverage, and the situation is becoming critical. According to Joe Madden, principal analyst at Mobile Experts, hoteliers lose approximately $4 per square foot due to poor guest connectivity, and 30 percent of hotel guests will not return if wireless coverage is not satisfactory. Even a single “dead zone” can mean thousands of dollars in lost hotel revenue.
The problem extends beyond the guest experience. A report by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) found that technology was one of six major challenges that facilities management professionals face, and existing cellular systems don’t necessarily provide the required service level to support their needs.
