Systems

Cutting the cord

Unravelling the benefits of wireless access and security

An estimated 707 million customers will have wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) by 2008, which implies a steadily increasing demand in the hospitality industry for the amenity to become part of the picture.

With the popularity of wireless laptops gaining momentum among consumers, many hotels have added broadband Wi-Fi access to improve their guests' experience and offer business travellers more mobility. The customer benefits are obvious. Wi-Fi allows guests to browse the Web and pull down e-mail from wherever they are and send print jobs to the hotel's business center from their room. It also gives corporate types secure, remote access to their networks and even enables them to video conference with remote offices.

In the past 18 months, hotels throughout the United States and abroad have begun to explore Wi-Fi possibilities, and in many cases have set up Wi-Fi networks and hotspots throughout their properties. According to the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Pyramid Research, the number of hotels worldwide with Wi-Fi has risen from about 2,500 in 2003 to an estimated 6,000 in 2004, the majority of which are in the United States. That number in is expected to jump to more than 35,000 by 2008.

This year has been especially busy for Wi-Fi providers such as Salt Lake City-based STSN; Austin, Texas-based Wayport; and Louisville, Colorado-based SuiteSpeed, which primarily work with the hospitality industry, as mid-priced hotel brands have sought to satisfy business travellers. The hotels aggressively installing Wi-Fi include Marriott International, InterContinental Hotels, and Wyndham International. Others are still trudging through their ‘wired’ Internet installation bills, and trying to reap the benefits of that before considering Wi-Fi alternatives.

Some boutique hotels are starting to bank on Wi-Fi as an additional source of revenue and as a way to bring cachet to the property. Although the extra revenue is well worth the investment for many hotels, the competition among hotels that have Wi-Fi is rapidly growing, which negates the ability for some hotels to charge for the amenity. In those situations, marketing the benefits of Wi-Fi to guests and potential guests is crucial, says Michael Wasik, president and CEO of SuiteSpeed.

Once hoteliers elect to cut the cords, deciding whether to use hotspots or install property-wide wireless Internet is crucial. Hotspots are 100-square-foot areas that allow high-speed wireless Internet access so guests can check their e-mail and access the Internet in controlled areas. They're usually set up in lobbies, meeting rooms and banquet halls.

In spite of all the positive features and straightforward setup, Wi-Fi isn't as secure as wired networks simply because any user can tune in to a wireless transmission if he or she knows what to listen for.

The number one thing you need to do when you set up your wireless network is to password protect it. You can also use patch antenna to focus signals directly toward a specific location. This uni-directional broadcast can slim down the breadth of your signal and, hopefully, reduce the risk of attracting stragglers.