Hotel Wi-Fi WHY YOUR WIRELESS NETWORK MAY BE FALLING SHORT OF 5-STAR REVIEWS

Transcription

1 Hotel Wi-Fi WHY YOUR WIRELESS NETWORK MAY BE FALLING SHORT OF 5-STAR REVIEWS

2 CONTENTS ABOUT THE AUTHOR... 3 INTRODUCTION... 4 TESTING EQUIPMENT... 5 NETWORK DESIGN FACTORS... 6 TECHNOLOGY... 7 STANDARDS... 8 WAN LINKS... 9 NETWORK MANAGEMENT CONCLUSION HOTEL WI-FI

3 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Heath Blobaum is a Certified Wireless Network Professional with certifications from Cisco, Adtran, and Mojo Networks. In 2005, he started working with Comm-Works as a Solution Center Project Engineer. Since 2010, Heath has worked as a Wireless Engineer specializing in WLAN design, testing, and implementation. In 2015, he became Comm-Works Wireless Practice Leader. hblobaum@comm-works.com HOTEL WI-FI 3

4 INTRODUCTION I regularly travel for business and stay in many hotel chains and super chains. Over the years, I have found a consistent trend of poor performing Wi-Fi. It s never my intention to stay in a hotel for the purpose of evaluating the performance of a hotel s wireless, but my own personal experiences have sparked my interest in determining why the hospitality industry in general struggles with inadequate wireless service. I will often wander the lobby, hallways and other common areas of a hotel with a laptop, specialized software, and specific Wi-Fi adapters to gather non-invasive data about how well the hotel s network is performing. Using various Wi-Fi tools to test and troubleshoot, I have been able to identify some of the most common reasons why hotels may be providing guests with a less than satisfactory wireless experience. 83% of hotel guests report bad wi-fi experience. 36% will not come back if they had one. 4 HOTEL WI-FI

5 TESTING EQUIPMENT Testing equipment is a key indicator of how well a company can design wireless networks, and will determine how well the network will perform. Poor wireless service can often be the result of a design completed with low-end testing equipment. There are many variations of test equipment and software suites on the market that can fill the design requirement for wireless networks, but none of them are free. If a company is using a free tool, they are only providing a partial picture of what the design should look like. QUICK TIP: Wi-Fi environments evolve on a continual basis due to the introduction of new Wi- Fi client devices, non-wi-fi interference, neighboring wireless networks, and more. To keep up with these changes, hotels should consider scheduling a wireless health check every 6 to 12 months. HOTEL WI-FI 5

6 NETWORK DESIGN FACTORS For optimal Wi-Fi performance consider the following design factors prior to implementing your wireless solutions. DUELING ACCESS POINTS Multiple access points can interfere with each other if they re not properly positioned or configured. LAND & STRUCTURAL TOPOGRAPHY Think back as to when your wireless network was deployed. Was it installed during the winter months? If so, did your network engineer think about the foliage growing back during the warmer months? This growth could be negatively blocking the signal you have in place. PRESENCE OF WATER When designing a network outdoors, large bodies of water absorb radio frequency signals which will kill your Wi-Fi connection. SIGNAL QUALITY If you re not getting a quality signal, try reconfiguring or replacing your current access points for a better quality signal. ROOM HEIGHT Tall ceilings can create signal problems. Try alternate locations if your ceilings are over 35 feet tall. CAPACITY Under estimating the number of devices that will be on your network can cause a serious slow down. WI-FI INTERFERENCE Interference may occur from microwaves, Bluetooth devices, Terminal Doppler Weather Radar, wireless security cameras, cordless phones, outdoor microwave links, wireless game controllers, Zigbee devices, fluorescent lights, and more. These devices all emit RF energy that will impact either the 2.4GHz spectrum or the 5GHz spectrum. 6 HOTEL WI-FI

7 TECHNOLOGY Advancements in technology provide many opportunities for hotels. However, an increase or upgrade in technology without consideration for the breadth of your existing wireless network will only result in diluted Wi-Fi, unpredictable technology, and ultimately, a less than satisfactory wireless experience, expected by your five-star guests. Oftentimes, businesses feel that an upgrade in technology will improve their level of service, but fail to think about the wireless support needed to ensure the performance of each new technology. Minimize the effects of upgrades by future proofing your network. According to Hospitality Technology s annual Lodging Technology Study, 54% of hotels plan to invest more in technology in 2016 than they did in years past. TOP OBJECTIVES FOR TECHNOLOGY Payment and data security Guest-room technology upgrades Adding bandwidth Leveraging mobile solutions for customer-facing applications Developing a digital strategy Migrating solutions to the cloud Leveraging mobile solutions for employee-facing applications HOTEL WI-FI 7

8 STANDARDS With the growing demand for a reliable Wi-Fi connection, guests and employees expect a network that is efficient, convenient, consistent, and secure. The only way to guarantee the implementation of a reliable wireless network is to adhere to today s industry standards. The recent release of ac technology allows for maximum Wi-Fi performance with outstanding improvements in speed, quality, and dependability. This makes Wi-Fi issues even more apparent to knowledgeable users who not only expect, but demand a five-star wireless experience when traveling for business. With the progression of Wi-Fi standards, we have seen many improvements in wireless performance and speed: Airtime efficiency has improved, multiple spatial streams have been implemented, dual band access points are now the norm, band steering has come into use, and channel widths have grown. In order to meet the Wi-Fi needs of guests today, it is imperative that your wireless network stays compliant with current standards. STANDARD RELEASE SPEED 11a Mbps 11n Mbps 11ac-wave Gbps 11ac-wave Gbps Gbps 8 HOTEL WI-FI

9 WAN LINKS Today, the average traveler brings their smartphone, laptop, and tablet with them wherever they go resulting in crowded WLAN environments. Undersized WAN links are often incapable of servicing the number of devices used by guests. Your existing wireless solution should be geared to support multiple devices per guest, in addition to the technology already being used for daily business operations. Mobile device offload from cellular to Wi-Fi exceeded 51% in 2015 with a total data traffic offload count of 3.9 exabytes. Consider the amount of data that will transition from traditional wired LAN to a wireless LAN. This would include; current fixed internal devices that will move to a wireless LAN and the influx of mobile device offload. QUICK TIP: WAN conversions should center around 100 Mbps+ links to best support your location s wireless demand. HOTEL WI-FI 9

10 NETWORK MANAGEMENT Wireless networks are in a constant state of evolution and require 24/7 monitoring and management. The introduction of new devices, densities, interference, and changes in building structure can all have an impact on your wireless service. Without proper network management, these subtle, and sometimes imperceptible changes result in a gradual, yet undeniable decline in network performance. Taking a proactive approach to design, installation, and evaluation of your wireless network from day-one, will help alleviate inconsistent wireless performance. 10 HOTEL WI-FI

11 CONCLUSION Throughout this ebook I have shared with you the most common wireless issues I have observed in the hospitality industry, the value of a reliable wireless network, and the components that make up a wireless solution worthy of five-star reviews. The issues mentioned here are just the tip of the iceberg, and among the first of many steps that can be taken to improve your hotel s wireless performance. If you are interested in learning more about your existing wireless network and making the necessary improvements to increase guest satisfaction, contact Comm-Works today to set up a consultation. ABOUT COMM-WORKS Comm-Works is uniquely equipped to provide a complete wireless solution. By assessing your current needs, intended application, and environment, we act as consultants to identify, install, and manage a solution that is a perfect fit for any location. DIFFERENTIATE YOUR GUEST EXPERIENCE. engage@comm-works.com HOTEL WI-FI 11

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