Overcoming guest satisfaction issues with optical LANs for hotels

Hotel experiences are built on connections. These connections serve as the backdrop for everything from uploading videos to social media to booking spa treatments and streaming movies.

When hotel guests can’t connect to what they need, then poor satisfaction and waning loyalty are the result.

According to a recent survey led by Hotel Internet Services, over half of hotel guests say they’re not likely to return to a property when the Wi-Fi doesn’t meet their expectations (if they experience dropped connections, slow speeds, login issues and/or spotty coverage).

Many of these connectivity issues—which directly impact guest satisfaction—can be addressed with optical LANs for hotels.

Bandwidth demands rise as guests and facilities demand more

In hotels, bandwidth demands are on the rise as guests travel with more devices. The types of activities they engage with during their stay also require greater bandwidth:

• Remote work
• Premium subscriptions with high-quality streaming
• Video calls
• Online shopping
• Large file downloads

In addition to the demands of guests, hospitality facilities themselves are increasing the need for bandwidth. Smart rooms equipped with automated lighting and temperature control require constant connectivity, as do security systems, staff communication tools and other building systems.

Sufficient data capacity is needed over the long term to support all this network activity with no service delays or interruptions.

How optical LANs can improve bandwidth

Because optical LANs for hotels rely on bandwidth-intensive singlemode fiber, they can offer the high-speed connectivity required to meet guest demands. Singlemode fiber supports speeds of up to 100 Gb/s, supporting current and future applications—whether they involve augmented reality, artificial intelligence or video analytics.

Networks must support constant guest and staff connections

When too many users and devices compete for network connectivity at the same time, available bandwidth becomes overwhelmed. This leads to slow performance, dropped connections and delays in processes like check-in/check-out, in-room entertainment streaming and ordering room service online.

Even if bandwidth levels are adequate most of the time, they may be flooded by too much traffic at certain times of the day, or during specific events (when the hotel is fully occupied, when a large conference or wedding is happening onsite, etc.).

Large numbers of users and devices attempting to connect to the network simultaneously can overwhelm traditional networks that don’t adapt to dynamic traffic demands.

How optical LANs manage network traffic

Running on a fiber backbone, an optical LAN handles high traffic volumes effortlessly. It eliminates the need for active switches, which reduces the likelihood of bottlenecks and ensures consistent performance during peak usage.

Coverage must extend connections across the facility and beyond

Today’s travelers expect connectivity everywhere—not just in their rooms. Your entire property needs to offer consistent, reliable coverage.  No dead zones or weak signals allowed. This means guests should be connected outside, in gym and pool areas, in parking lots and garages, and even in elevators and stairwells.

Workers need this same level of coverage, too. Whether they’re working in a below-ground storage area, a laundry room or a mechanical room, they need to stay connected to communication platforms and tools to do their jobs effectively.

How optical LANs improve continuous coverage

The fiber used in optical LANs provides consistent, reliable coverage throughout a hospitality property. Because they use passive optical splitters to distribute signals to multiple endpoints, the potential for weak signals or dead zones is also reduced.

These networks maintain strong connections over long distances, even far from the facility itself.

Space needs to go toward revenue generation, not networking equipment

Hotels don’t often have a lot of space to dedicate to telecom equipment. Instead, they want to devote as much square footage as possible to guestrooms and other revenue-generating spaces.

In addition, the building’s design sometimes limits the amount of space available for networking. For example, older or historic buildings weren’t designed with modern networking equipment in mind.

How optical LANs optimize space

As a point-to-multipoint network that relies on FTTx architecture and protocols rather than switch-based Ethernet, optical LANs can eliminate the need for telecommunications rooms or switches every 100 m.

This reduces the amount of space dedicated to cabling. Using passive splitters decreases space requirements even more by reducing fiber count. The small-diameter singlemode fibers that make up these networks also decrease the amount of space required for infrastructure.

Is an optical LAN right for your hotel?

As hotels try new approaches to elevate guest experiences, optical networks can easily scale without expensive and disruptive upgrades. An optical LAN can be part of a complete connection solution that supports everything from guest Wi-Fi to smart rooms.

Optical LANs can be a practical alternative to traditional LANs when fiber is already being used. And they can help hotels connect to what’s possible through improved operational efficiency, lower costs and the delivery of unmatched guest experiences.

Learn more about optical LANs.

Related links:

• Unleashing the Potential of POLAN: Remote Power Strategies
• New Hospitality Technology Starts with Optical LANs and Class 4 Powering
• 4 Ways that POLAN Can Contribute to Sustainability Efforts