Boston, Mass. — September 27, 2016 — The 2016 Lodging Technology Study predicts that technology spending will hit a record-high this year, with 54 percent of hotels planning to invest more in technology today than the previous year. Findings reveal that mobility is key driver. One of the top three priorities for hoteliers is adding bandwidth. Results show that 98 percent of hotels already have / plan to upgrade / plan to add bandwidth in public areas, and 89 percent have the same goals for guestrooms. Also worth noting, 66 percent of hotels have / plan to upgrade / plan to add a cellular infrastructure this year. RoamBOOST, a company providing celluar coverage to the hospitality industry, says these spending predications are right on target. The Distributed Antenna System (DAS) company has seen a significant increase in sales in 2016, and sales projections throughout 2017 show no signs of slowing.
Leading edge hoteliers now see cellular as a core infrastructure
“We are thrilled to see that hoteliers are no longer waiting for the wireless service providers to foot the bill for installing a DAS,” said RoamBOOST SVP of Operations Pam Angelucci. “While this may have been the norm in past years, it’s not part of the business plan today. Hoteliers are finally realizing that the carriers are not coming to improve their signal problems, therefore, hotels – which fall into the Middleprise category – are turning to RoamBOOST instead. Our solution distributes Wireless Carrier (and Public Safety) signals throughout a property and in targeted areas, such as the lobby, guestrooms, conference space, and back of house offices, giving guests and staff an immediate improvement in their phone’s signal strength.
“According to referenced study, 34% of hotels don’t plan to build a cellular infrastructure at all,” Angelucci said. “This is concerning. This leaves properties wide open for guest complaints and damaging online reviews – not to mention it may be preventing their staff from conducting business efficiently. As hoteliers prepare their 2017 budgets, they need to allocate funds for cellular enhancements TODAY. DAS is a key component to ensuring customer satisfaction, loyalty and public safety. Cellular infrastructure cannot be taken lightly, it’s a capital expense that must be budgeted for. This is the only way for hotels to operate in a multi-carrier environment.”
All guests are mobile-dependent. Treat them that way!
Angelucci explained that adding a cellular infrastructure is a great way to offset WiFi traffic. Guests who appreciate using their mobile devices as a room key or using the hotel’s mobile app for geo location or other services can now switch over to 4G instead of tying up the hotel’s WiFi, which frankly is not secure. An in-building wireless infrastructure gives a hotel the tools needed to support its mobile platform. Less WiFi traffic means faster speeds and happier guests.
"It’s no longer enough to have a strong WiFi network; to keep mobile-dependent travelers coming back, network infrastructures must balance WiFi with cellular (3G voice and 4G/LTE Data and voice),” Angelucci said. “A DAS is an effective solution for ensuring strong wireless signals and offsetting WiFi traffic. It’s a much-needed solution for hotels and an in-demand, problem-solving technology for travelers.”
Make mobile happen! Great reception is no accident.
RoamBOOST is fully qualified and ready to deliver perfect wireless coverage at any hotel. The RoamBOOST DAS solutions use a network of bi-directional antennas that are placed strategically inside a hotel (in corridors, common areas and meeting spaces) or outdoor across recreational areas (such as pool, golf courses, tennis courts, etc.) to address signal strength issues – or lack of a signal altogether. The system overcomes obstacles that inhibit 3G and 4G mobile calls and data transactions. In this passive DAS environment, the system works by taking Wireless Carrier (and/or Public Safety) signal off the air and amplifying it throughout problem areas of a hotel. The solution can target specific areas as small as 5,000 square feet up to about 175,000 square feet. For larger installations, such as multi-building, multi-story properties (over 175,000 sq ft), RoamBOOST would use an Active DAS, which connects the building directly to the carriers’ signal source.
For more information about the RoamBOOST, call (978) 777-8787 Ext. 308 or email sales@roamingaround.com. For media inquiries, contact RoamingAround PR Agent Barb Worcester at (440) 930-5770 or email barbw@prproconsulting.com.
