 The Industry
Now
is the time to install Sboca's high-speed Internet service!
Providing
high-speed, Internet access for guest of hotels has always been an
expensive proposition. Historically, hotel owners had to
make significant capital outlays for in-room cabling and network
hardware. Then, the hotel had to pay the high-cost of
monthly service from an ISP. Recently developments in the
world of wireless networking has made high-speed, Internet access
easy and inexpensive.
Here is some recent
news from key industry sources:
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Marriott continues to install wireless high-speed
internet access at 400 hotels in the US, UK and Germany.
It is now available at Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard,
Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn and
SpringHill Suites hotels.
“Many of our
guests have expressed an interest in wireless internet
access. Providing business travelers and meeting attendees
the ability to work in a wireless environment with
convenient online access during conferences and group
meetings creates a distinct competitive advantage,” said Lou
Paladeau, Marriott’s vice president of technology business
development. |
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Starwood Hotels announces it will enable wireless
Internet access at more than 150 Sheraton, Westin and W
hotels in the United States. "Frequent
business travelers tend to be early adopters of new
technology, especially technology that makes life on the
road easier and more productive," said Steven M. Hankin,
president, Starwood Technology and Revenue Systems.
"By being among the first to offer WiFi connectivity,
Starwood's hotels will benefit as awareness and usage of
WiFi builds and users search out hotspots when traveling. We
continue to aggressively research new technologies, and
develop technology amenities that make sense for our
guests." |
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Omni Hotels announces that, by the end of 2003, wireless,
high-speed Internet service will be available in all hotels
where a hard-wired solution is not currently available.
"Guests of Omni Hotels will now be able enjoy the ease of
wireless throughout our properties. Those who turn
hotel rooms into on-the-road offices will have increased
productivity without increased cost," says Tom Chevins,
senior vice president of sales & marketing, Omni Hotels. |
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"When offered
in guestrooms or public areas, wireless access also has the
potential to drive occupancy by appealing to high-tech
business travelers who already use the service at airports,
coffee shops, or other "hotspot" locations," says
Steve
Duncan, technology writer, HotelBusiness.com. |
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“The use of
Wi-Fi is really just starting to take off right now,” says
Finn Schulz, vice president of information technology, Radisson
Hotels (Rexidor SAS Hospitality).
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“I think
[wireless] will be an essential feature of the well-prepared
meeting center or hotel in 2003," says Richard Keurajia,
director of sales and marketing, Dolce Tarrytown House in
Tarrytown, NY.
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And the demand for wireless, high-speed Internet connections will
continue to skyrocket. Key statistics include:
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A recent
American Express survey found that 87 percent of business
travelers were taking their laptop computers with them on
the road. Their primary activities were connecting to
email, accessing critical business information and surfing
the Web. |
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According to IDC, the number of wireless subscribers in the
US will increase from ~5 million in 2000 to more than 84
million in 2005. |
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According to Analysys Research, it estimated that by year
2007 there will be 40 million people that utilize "Hot Spot"
locations worldwide. "...most Americans... will access the
internet wirelessly in airports, shopping malls and hotels
by 2007." |
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"Today, high
speed internet access in hotels is as essential as light and
power. The days of patch cords and plug-ins are over. Wireless
connectivity and freedom of movement is in. ”
Jean-Pierre Lortal, General Manager, Sutton Place
Hotel –
Newport Beach,
CA |
To
obtain a customized service quote from Sboca Wireless Network
for your hotel property, please visit our
Online Quote
page.
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