Wireless Technology Trends and their Impact on the Hospitality Industry

Travelers expect to have the same broadband experience during their stay in a hotel as they do at home and this "connectivity" demand is a problem for the hospitality community in a number of ways. Hotels used to be able to get extra revenue from the telephone systems and from selling in-room movies on demand. Today, no one uses the hotel's PBX to make calls, guests are likely to stream video on their tablets and laptops. And while high-end venues are still able to charge for Wi-Fi use, "value" hotels may have to give the Wi-Fi away for free in the room. Worse, the No. 1 complaint in the hotel space today is about high-speed Internet access. It is safe to say Wi-Fi and cellular can quickly become a headache for hoteliers. Getting adequate cellular coverage inside a venue can be frustrating because cellular operators own the spectrum and therefore control the experience.

However, answers are on the horizon, whether via Distributed Antenna Systems or new small cells coming onto market. This webinar will give attendees an overview of the Wi-Fi, cellular and public safety networks today and the trends surrounding those technologies and how they will impact the hospitality sector.

This webinar fill feature speakers from the HetNet Forum, a not-for-profit trade association that seeks to educate vertical target markets like hospitality about the role of DAS, small cells and Wi-Fi offload in wireless broadband deployments. Because it is HetNet Forum-branded, no company sales pitches and promotions are allowed.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the technology terms and roadmap for DAS, small cells (picocells, metrocells, microcells) and Wi-Fi and what that means to the hospitality industry; (for example, a hotelier may find it best to deploy a DAS in the convention center area of the venue and use small cells in the rooms.)
2. Learn how to best work with the wireless and cellular ecosystem suppliers. Our members include the major global OEMs, wireless operators, system integrators, third-party neutral host providers and end users, including Marriott International.
3. Learn about funding options for DAS and small cells as well as physical requirements to get this equipment in your venue.

Presented by: Tracy Ford, Director, HetNet Forum at PCIA