Recommendations for installing 5G in a hotel.

After analysing the different 5G installation options, we want to highlight a series of recommendations so you can be as prepared as possible to face the challenges associated with the arrival of 5G.

Its mass deployment is still a way off, but more and more mobile operators will start offering this service with unlimited data rates at a good price and in mid-range terminals, leading to a definitive start up for a large number of users who will request 5G services anywhere.

Don’t leave it until the last minute

The time is now. Start thinking about what this change will represent in your property, what services you will be able to offer and how it will benefit your customers.

There are many opportunities to improve service, have a positive impact on guests, and therefore, to get them to talk about you positively, recommend you and win their loyalty. Sooner or later, these improvements will be reflected in your revenue.

Check your current installation

Possibly the most important thing to do, giving you an exact idea of everything you need to do to be prepared. If your installation is already obsolete, you will have no choice but to update it.

On the other hand, when we talk about maintaining the WiFi service, some companies offer the service but with basic solutions, or no maintenance has been done whatsoever on the network, meaning that additional expenses are incurred if it breaks down. Correctly functioning hotel WiFi is now essential. Guests perceive it as an essential service in their holiday experience and malfunction can lead to multiple complaints and loss of brand awareness quality.

As we have discussed, at Hotelinking we already offer a service to install, maintain and monitor hotels’ WiFi networks: NOC (Network Operation Center).

We have acquired this knowledge from our experience in the sector, integrating our WiFi services in more than 1000 hotels. We are obliged to be up to date with the latest developments in equipment, manufacturers, components and updates etc. We can therefore confirm that we can provide support and solutions to the WiFi network of a hotel or chain, and guarantee its continuity for the arrival of 5G.

Invest in improving your infrastructure

It is true that it may become expensive to update. If, after reviewing the installations, you see that you must invest, you should not skimp on catching up. As it is still early, you can do it gradually and coherently.

Although we recommend opting for a hybrid WiFi 6 and 5G system, the following steps should be followed:

1. Complete an audit of the current state of the network to see what adjustments will be necessary or which elements the network needs to offer the required quality.
2. Once the audit has been completed, identify what is needed to guarantee optimal network operation and, if necessary, optimise the network.
3. Apply the suggested changes gradually.
4. At the same time, decide which services you are interested in offering or strengthening.
5. What do your customers think and what needs do they have? At this stage, it is important to be clear that you have to get the most information from guests either by capturing all possible booking data or by carrying out surveys during their stay. We can take the opportunity to ask them directly what services they would be interested in, if 5G were available.
6. Subsequent follow-up or monitoring. Let’s suppose that the installation is already up to date. Is that all? In such a complex scenario, it is not enough to have all the facilities in good working order. It will also be necessary to check that they are operating correctly to foresee or avoid possible errors. This phase will be crucial to achieve maximum customer satisfaction.
7. Analyse. If there is something that 5G can provide, it is information – a lot of information about behaviour, uses, operation, and much more. It will be important to know how to analyse this information for future marketing campaigns or to continue to have a network in optimal conditions.
   

Benefits that 5G will bring to your hotel

• When choosing accommodation, internet connection is one of the most valued elements. A quality service will improve the hotel’s rating on opinion forums.
• You will ensure full WiFi coverage throughout the hotel and 5G in the future, so the user experience will always be positive everywhere.
• With proper monitoring, you will considerably reduce the number of incidents occurring in the hotel, by having a service that will allow you to anticipate possible operating errors or network saturation in advance.
• You will enhance your brand and build customer loyalty. When they have received a positive, top-quality experience, it is more likely that guests will return and recommend you.
• A quality network boosts internal consumption in the hotel. If the connection is good, the guest will stay longer in your property and consequently, spend more.
• With the right facilities, you can turn your hotel into a place of reference for business meetings and events. By guaranteeing a quality service, new business opportunities will emerge.
• You will modernise your property and stand out from your competitors with differential, unique and personalised services.
• You will continue to have a rich database that you can use for your marketing campaigns and to inform your customers of all the improvements you are making.