Why Your Hotel Needs a Fiber Internet Connection
Did you know that there’s a list of hotels online ranked by the quality of internet services they provide? Such hotels are usually under a category like “Best Internet Connection?” If your hotel’s internet is slow, you can lose many customers because the internet connection at your hotel wasn’t fast and reliable.
This is where fiber optic internet comes in. Besides providing a fast connection, fiber optic internet is a reliable option as the cables are stronger than traditional internet lines. If your hotel caters to a diverse set of customers, you will find that providing an individual fiber-optic connection in every room, especially those booked by families, will make you stand out from competing hotels. Since we are talking about the speed and reliability of this internet connection, you can’t ignore how big of an impact this will have on your Wi-Fi.
The first thing a customer does while waiting in the check-in line at a hotel is, check the Wi-Fi connection. If the page load’s faster, the wait time doesn’t feel annoying. This not only makes the customer happy but also sets the first impression about the services that will be offered. It builds the expectation that they will be treated a certain way.
This blog will not only cover the benefits of installing fiber optic cables throughout your hotel but also how to WOW your guests. Before we get into the details, let’s look at what this internet option is:
What Is Fiber Optic Internet?
Fiber optic, commonly called “fiber internet,” is a broadband connection that can reach up to a speed of 100 Gbps with little to no lag time. This connection uses a cable made of fiber that sends data to a device using speeds as fast as 70% of light speed. Moreover, the cable is encased in Kevlar®, which protects it from severe weather conditions and makes it highly durable and resistible to electrical interference. This cable’s protection minimizes outages and allows you to provide your guests with a seamless internet connection.
One of the best things about using a fiber optic cable is that it connects multiple devices at once. Offering this service in your hotel will allow your guests to:
· Download and upload files quickly
· Enjoy smooth video chatting and online gaming with family and friends
· Back up videos and photos to the cloud in minutes rather than hours
· Stream movies and music without lag or drop in quality
To understand why fiber optic cable is better for your hotel, we have created a comparison chat between this connection and other internet connections.
Fiber Optic vs. Dial-Up vs. DSL vs. Cable
The main difference between fiber optic and other internet connections is that the latter does not utilize electric current. Instead, it uses light to deliver data via the glass core. Today, technologies have evolved a lot over time. To give you a glimpse of the internet’s journey from a traditional connection to one that travels almost at the speed of light, here’s its timeline:
Dial-Up Internet
Dial-up internet has become obsolete. You will seldom find it in homes, let alone hotels, resorts or businesses. This internet connection was at its peak 20 years ago. It used existing telephone lines that were made of copper. This internet type uses a landline’s audible frequency that you hear in the form of beeps when the connection is being set up. The drawback of this internet is that since you are using the telephone line, you can’t use it to make calls when connected to the internet. A dial-up connection’s average speed is 56 Kbps, which is 0.05 Mbps for uploading and downloading.
DSL
DSL, also known as Digital Subscriber Line, transmits data through a telephone line. However, compared to dial-up, this internet type uses inaudible frequencies, which means you can use your phone and the internet at the same time. A DSL connection’s average speed is 20 Mbps for uploading and 100 Mbps for downloading.
Cable
Your cable TV service and internet use the same line, which is also called “coaxial cable.” A cable connection’s average speed is 50 Mbps for uploading and 940 Mbps for downloading.
Top Reasons Why Fiber Optic Cable is Good for Your Hotel
It Will Improves Your Hotel’s Future
Research shows that guests at hotels use more data than ever and for longer periods. They carry multiple devices and connect them to the hotel’s Wi-Fi as soon as they enter the establishment. So, one thing is for sure that this trend isn’t going anywhere soon.
While 5G connectivity will soon be among us, the expandable and robust capacity of fiber optic has already deployed this technology. Soon, worldwide connectivity will be transformed, and the hospitality industry will benefit the most from it.
It will empower hotels to pay more attention to creating an impressionable customer experience. We all know that a standard family of four carries at least 6 to 8 devices. Out of these 4 are connected to the Wi-Fi throughout their stay.
By using Service Level Agreements (SLAs), hotels can offer their guests the speed and reliability, faster Wi-Fi, and separate devices in every room (more especially for families). The hotel would also be able to use cloud-based property management systems to lower their IT cost, increase ADR and RevPAR, and enhance the lifetime value of customers.
With the help of the PBX system, hotels will be able to offer business travelers high-speed reliable internet, allowing them to conduct online meetings using Skype and Zoom without any glitches.
Moreover, all this will allow hotels to improve their bottom line, which is getting their brand name out there and attracting more customers. To know more about how to do this, check our blog post, “How Hotels Can Win Guest Loyalty With Technology.” We haven’t touched the surface of modern technology controlled by Wi-Fi, which is a game-changer — something we will discuss later.
It’s Reliable
If there’s a wire around somewhere in sight even when you have connected your device wirelessly, you are doing something wrong. Coaxial and DSL connections use copper capable that corrode over time. Plus, they are costly to maintain and operate. They require amplifiers to boost signals. All of these weaknesses contribute to poor performance.
On the other hand, fiber is highly reliable and maintains its concentrated amplification. A fiber optic signal can travel around 60 miles, which is a distance that exceeds the requirements of most hotels. In contrast, a copper infrastructure can complicate things. Lastly, fiber optic does not require any upgrades.
It’s Secure
One of the main concerns of hotels is that they don’t want their guests’ data and hotel security to be breached. This means they have to be on guard constantly to redirect or remove unwanted online traffic. This will leave the bandwidth open to guests and only guests.
Unlike wireless, a fiber optic connection is secure, thanks to the wavelength connections, which cannot be hacked. Once the data traffic travels through fiber, every piece of information is secure. So, if someone does manage to break into the fiber, they will be caught immediately.
WOW-ing Hotel Guests With Technology
There was a time when travelers would be drawn to hotels by free continental breakfast and access to premium movie channels. With the demands of contemporary travelers changing every day, technology has taken the place of such benefits. However, this doesn’t mean a morning free meal will not be appreciated. Likewise, guests would rather prefer a smart TV so they can watch Netflix or Amazon Prime.
Today, lifestyle, innovation, and seamless connectivity have bonded to give guests an experience they will never forget.
Apart from regular guests, vacationers and business travelers now expect to be able to connect to the internet quickly so they can FaceTime friends or family, send emails to clients, and stream movies all at the same time.
So, How Do Technology and Internet Help WOW Guests?
With the click of a button, you can access sensors that change room temperatures, lighting, humidity, and even open and close curtains. This benefits the hotel in the form of energy savings and provides guests with extreme comfort. Through cloud-based systems, staff can run diagnostic tests to ensure there are no water or gas leaks.
If you move away from technology, there are plenty of other things that can help WOW guests such as offering less wait time at the front desk, housekeeping when guests are not in their room, breakfast servers instead of a buffet, and more.
One small upgrade you can make to give your rooms a digital edge is placing a digital assistant like Alexa for any queries. This upgrade would also improve your customer service as you can add information on your website that will be delivered to guests directly via Alexa.
An inexpensive addition that you can make is creating a landing page that guests will see as they connect to the hotel’s Wi-Fi. Here, you can highlight some of the best features of your hotel to ensure repeat visits.
You can also focus on the small details to enhance the customer experience. This can be done through gift or service vouchers, discounts for repeat customers, and pre-arrival emails. Nothing makes a guest more cared for than being greeted as soon as they check-in. If you have a spare room and a guest will be checking out tomorrow, why not offer them an upgrade? Don’t forget the shuttle service because most guests like to save on cab fare by walking or taking the local bus. Imagine the smile that will come on their face when you offer them a free ride to their destination.
For guests who are booking the VIP room, why not give them a small offering such as a snack basket filled with snacks and drinks from a local establishment. They must be after doing all that traveling, and an easy snack will make them truly happy.
No matter how small or big your offering, you and your staff are doing a great job as long as it makes the customer comfortable and enhances their experience.
Final Word
Hotels are investing more effort and time than ever to establish their brand’s image and win guest loyalty. While the former needs a killer marketing strategy, the latter can be ensured with the help of a fast and reliable internet connection. Both tactics will allow hotels to meet the burgeoning expectations of guests. It will also provide hotel managers with ease in directing their staff on how to please guests.
All this is only possible if you have a strong internet connection, which fiber optic cable offers you. It’s worth repeating that this cable is resistant to corrosion due to its Kevlar® coating, which is why it’s less costly in the longer run, and if you read the benefits it offers, you know you will recoup the installation cost in no time.
If you are planning on revamping your internet connection to attract more vacationers and business travelers, you need a professional who can install fiber optic cables.
Visit the website Motion VOIP to know more about fiber optic cables and how a PBX system will improve your hotel’s bottom line. Our staff specializes in making hotels and resorts technology savvy by offering modern solutions. To get in touch with us, call (217) 331-6670.