Image Source: Unsplash.com
With the digitization of hotels worldwide, the hospitality industry needs high-speed internet access (HSIA) more than ever to satisfy guest expectations. Modern technology solutions that improve hotel operations, such as property management systems, mobile room keys and others, also require a reliable Wi-Fi network to keep the business running smoothly and the communication between departments uninterrupted.
Why does HSIA need to be a priority for your hospitality property?
You need to prioritize HSIA on your hospitality property to meet guest expectations, improve satisfaction levels and increase business efficiency. Failing to provide high-quality HSIA solutions will most likely result in dissatisfied hotel guests and bad online reviews.
It’s what your guests need
With the increase in remote job positions, the number of business travelers, freelancers and entrepreneurs has significantly grown throughout the past years. Tech-savvy millennials and Gen Z also visit hotels and have certain expectations regarding the provided services.
Most of these potential guests are looking for reliable and quick internet connections that will enable them to use their personal devices and complete their business tasks effortlessly.
To gain a competitive advantage
Statistics show that most hotel guests have a new and very essential search filter for booking accommodation: reliable and fast internet. That means hotels can use HSIA to their advantage, increasing online bookings by promoting the feature and gaining good reviews related to the internet services.
To keep other hotel operations intact
When transitioning from analog to digital, it’s inevitable for hotels to incorporate software and operations that require HSIA to function correctly. Communication systems, property management systems and the Internet of Things are only some of them.
HSIA is often vital for staff collaboration software, VoD, IPTVs, cybersecurity systems and many other digital solutions that hotels incorporate as part of their digital transformation process.
Image Source: Unsplash.com
Your guests expect the best especially when it comes to Wi-Fi
Your hotel’s guest experience greatly depends on your ability to provide your clients with the high-speed internet solutions they need. To truly grasp the essence of HSIA, first, we need to understand why people expect the best when it comes to Wi-Fi.
They already have fast Wi-Fi at home
There are many opportunities to find affordable yet reliable high-speed Wi-Fi, which is why so many people already have it in the comfort of their homes.
Your hotel guests are used to high internet speeds and don’t have the patience to wait for their movies to load or for their files to upload. They arrive at your hotel with the expectation that, at the very least, they will experience the same comfort they already have created at their homes.
They expect it across all parts of the property
Providing the best and fastest Wi-Fi opportunity for your hotel guests won’t be enough if you offer it only in the lobby. Your guests want to have internet access from the comfort of their guest rooms, in conference rooms, while they’re relaxing near the pool or having a drink at the bar.
They use it for business and leisure
Hoteliers should always remember that their guests visit their property for different reasons.
While one might be on a business trip and is looking for a fast internet connection to conduct business and attend online meetings, another might be on vacation with their family or friends. Whatever their trip’s reason, they all need the best Wi-Fi to meet their requirements.
They use multiple devices
The digital era is here, and almost everybody owns a smartphone. But hotel guests don’t rely only on their smartphones to travel and conduct business. Most of them bring other personal devices such as laptops and tablets, even if they are not on a business trip.
Some guests even get their PlayStations and want to connect them to the hotel’s Wi-Fi. All that adds to multiple devices per hotel room that guests can use to access Netflix or host an online meeting.
How to search for an HSIA provider that meets your needs?
Before every essential investment that enhances the hospitality network and operations, there is time to research available providers and their prices, the ROI, and the specific features offered.
Cloud management and bandwidth
Cloud management and sophisticated bandwidth management capabilities are features to look for from HSIA providers. You can guarantee improved guest experiences by receiving remote support and quick troubleshooting, minimizing downtime and unhappy hotel guests.
Secure connectivity
Regarding the internet in hotels, speed is vital, but so is security. Your network is full of sensitive data, such as personal guest information that your front desk agents fill in upon arrival.
Bank details are constantly going through your payment system for F&B, treatments and check-outs. Ensure guest satisfaction is accompanied by guest trust and a feeling of safety by choosing a provider with supreme security features and diverse authentication methods.
Support services
Choosing an HSIA provider that offers complete end-to-end solutions will save you a lot of headaches down the road. You’ll want someone who will take care of equipment setup and configuration, installation, regular updates, troubleshooting, diagnostics, and maintenance and offers 24/7 support services for your utmost convenience.
Image Source: Pexels.com
Five considerations when preparing your network for the next-normal
Before moving towards HSIA and the opportunity to significantly improve your guests’ experience and reviews, there are five things to consider.
1. Remember that HSIA is crucial for the hotel‘s operations
It’s only natural that you want to provide your guests with the best service possible. Still, it’s good to remember that HSIA is also crucial for your hotel’s operations and the more obvious guest services side.
Your digital systems depend on good and reliable internet connectivity with fast speeds. Your internal PMS and other software will significantly benefit from HSIA by timely synchronizing tasks and schedules between departments such as housekeeping, front and back-office workers, revenue managers and others.
2. With variable numbers come scalable solutions
Consider that the number of hotel guests will always vary, and, thus, so will the necessity of HSIA. During low season the demand might not be so high, but once peak season hits and you reach total capacity, you might need to increase bandwidth.
Another possibility is that you plan to expand your property and build an additional building to accommodate a more significant number of guests. Choosing a provider who offers scalable solutions will help with a seamless transition.
3. Security features are of essential importance
Running separate networks for staff and guests can significantly improve security, so it’s something to consider. Choose providers with more than one authentication method, so you give various options to your customers and the ability to restrict harmful or inappropriate web content.
4. Tiered services and managing users
You can implement tiered services for customers with higher bandwidth demands. For example, leisure travelers might only need to log into their social media accounts from time to time or keep up with the latest events.
However, other users might require more bandwidth for business conferences, online video streaming or online gaming; in such cases, a tiered service strategy might be beneficial.
5. Data analysis for a deeper insight
Consider an HSIA provider who allows you to analyze data such as bandwidth usage during certain times of the day or low and peak seasons. Such analytics and reports will give you a deeper insight and understanding of your guests’ behavior and needs, so you can adjust your services accordingly.
Image Source: Unsplash.com
FAQs
How do you improve the guest arrival experience?
With InnSpire’s HSIA solution, you can offer your guests immediate connectivity to your hotel’s Wi-Fi network when they arrive at the property.
Why do guests need to have a positive guest experience?
One of the pillars of a positive guest experience in today’s digital world is high-speed and reliable internet connectivity. Some guests use it to browse the web and others to conduct business, but whatever their reason is, they are looking for hotels with good internet connections.
What is HSIA in a network?
High-speed internet access (HSIA) is an effective and efficient Wi-Fi network solution helping hotels worldwide to keep their digital operations intact and enhance their guests’ experience.
What are smart guest experiences?
A smart guest experience is when guests receive what they need thanks to carefully analyzed data and developed strategies. The term also refers to situations where guests receive a superior service than they anticipated.