Wifi Survey2015 715 Web
Wifi Survey2015 715 Web
Wifi Survey2015 715 Web
Hospitality Wi-Fi
A Study of
Guests and Hoteliers
www.hotelwifi.com 855-999-8110
Keeping People Connected The survey was conducted in April and May of 2015.
2
An Intimate Look
at Hospitality Wi-Fi
An Intimate Look at Hospitality Wi-Fi
A Study of Guests and Hoteliers
Introduction
Hotel Internet Services is well-known for installing uncompromising Wi-Fi
networks to the hospitality industry. Per recent surveys of the hotel industry Wi-
Fi is the most important amenity for guests and can actually determine whether
a guest will stay in your establishment or not. Truly, Wi-Fi is no longer an amenity,
it has become a utility, as important as running water and electricity. In order to
keep our finger on the guest pulse, we recently conducted a survey of over 500
hotel guests to determine how significant a role Wi-Fi was in their travels. We
wanted to know what devices they traveled with, their Internet habits and desires
and what they needed as well as wanted from their digital hospitality experience.
This included the importance of streaming for guests with its native need for
increasing bandwidth, which of course leads us to a more robust W-Fi network.
At the core of todays guest experience is connectivity and the quality of that
connection. Guests no longer are stationary with their laptops. They have
become moving targets with their smartphones, tablets and coming advances in
smartwear. What was workable two years ago is no longer acceptable. Antiquated
Wi-Fi networks account for the majority of todays user complaints with dropped,
weak or inconsistent signals.
At Hotel Internet Services we pride ourselves on our ability to deliver installations
that keep our clients a step ahead of the competition in terms of using cutting
edge technologies and equipment to deliver world-class service.
While we were surveying guests, we also wanted to get the hoteliers take on the
current and future of Wi-Fi. Therefore, simultaneously, we surveyed some 200
hoteliers to determine how the industry was responding to guest needs and wants
when it came to Internet access. Where possible we include both results in order
to demonstrate the similarities and differences regarding cares and concerns of
each.
Wi-Fi is the conduit for the myriad of services, connections and communications
we do every day. Here is the intimate story of Wi-Fi for today and tomorrow.
The survey was conducted in May of 2015.
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An Intimate Look
at Hospitality Wi-Fi
Devices
When asked what devices they normally carried with them on their travels,
we discovered that close to 76% carried smartphones, 68% laptops and close
to 62% tablets.
Which devices do you normally carry with you when you travel
Response
Answer Options Response Count
Percent
100%
75.91%
80% 68.07%
61.76%
60%
40%
20%
2.29% 4.97%
0%
Smartphone Smartwatch Tablet Laptop Other
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
4
An Intimate Look
at Hospitality Wi-Fi
Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
39.2% 205
Android
54.9% 287
iPhone
4.0% 21
Windows
3.4% 18
Blackberry
Other 9.4% 49
80%
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
5
An Intimate Look
at Hospitality Wi-Fi
Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
Android 30.6% 129
iPad 66.5% 280
Other 10.0% 42
Android
iPad
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
6
An Intimate Look
at Hospitality Wi-Fi
When asked if they connected multiple wireless devices to Wi-Fi, guests responded with a
resounding yes with their smartphones, tablets and laptops.
Do you connect multiple wireless devices to the guestroom Internet? If so which ones?
67.0% 335
Yes
18.6% 93
No
64.2% 321
Smartphone
56.8% 284
Tablet
58.0% 290
Laptop
Other 4.4% 22
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
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Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
Netflix 46.3% 242
Hulu 6.3% 33
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
8
An Intimate Look
at Hospitality Wi-Fi
Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
No 53.2% 278
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
9
An Intimate Look
at Hospitality Wi-Fi
Streaming Content
Now, when we asked them if they wanted to be able to stream their content to the room TV, the
percentage in favor moved up a notch to 52.2%. This is the coming trend!
Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
Yes 52.2% 265
No 45.3% 230
Other 2.6% 13
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
10
An Intimate Look
at Hospitality Wi-Fi
Wheres Your Wi-Fi
Hotel guests expect to have Wi-Fi in their rooms but would also like it
throughout the establishment.
When you check into your hotel, do you expect Wi-Fi in: (check all that apply)?
Response
Answer Options Response Count
Percent
Hotel lobby 68.6% 177
Other 3.9% 10
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
11
The hoteliers polled agreed with guests with the addition of Meeting
Rooms.
In which of the following areas of your hotel do you provideWi-Fi (check all that
apply)?
Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
Hotel Lobby 96.8% 179
Pool 61.1% 113
Restaurant 74.6% 138
Room 95.7% 177
Meeting Room 21.0% 48
Meeting
Room
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
12
An Intimate Look
at Hospitality Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Just in case you wondered, free Wi-Fi is almost a given at this point. We
asked the guests if not having free Wi-Fi was a deal breaker 72% said yes.
80% of our hoteliers replied that they provide free Wi-Fi but it should be
noted that a small percentage (less than 5%) said that it was available in the
lobby only.
Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
Yes 72.0% 366
No 21.1% 107
Other 6.9% 35
Other (please
specify)
No
Yes
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
13
Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
Yes 80.0% 148
No 10.3% 19
Other 9.7% 18
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
14
Would you purchase upgraded WIFI speeds if you the price was reasonable?
Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
Yes 53.0% 269
No 39.2% 199
Other 7.9% 40
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
15
2015 Hotel Internet Services. All Rights Reserved. The BeyondTV logo, and other trademarks are trademarks of Hotel Internet Services and may not be used without
permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
16
An Intimate Look
at Hospitality Wi-Fi
Hotelier Response
It should be noted that some 41% of the hotels surveyed said they had some
form of tiered Internet for their guests and 29% were considering it for the
future. According to the hoteliers the sweet spot was $4.99.
Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
Yes 41.6% 77
No 58.4% 108
If no, are you considering providing tiered Internet speeds for your guests??
Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
Yes 29.0% 40
No 57.2% 79
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
17
In your opinion, what is the most your guests would pay for upgraded internet
speeds?
Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
$2.99 10.3% 19
$3.99 5.4% 10
$4.99 24.3% 45
$6.99 7.6% 14
$8.99 10.8% 20
$10.99 10.3% 19
$11.99 1.1% 2
$12.99 8.1% 15
Other 22.2% 41
$2.99
Other (please
specify) $3.99
$12.99
$4.99
$11.99
$10.99
$6.99
$8.99
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
18
An Intimate Look
at Hospitality Wi-Fi
The Top Guest Complaints
Guests complained about Low Speed (64.6%), Poor Signal Coverage (63.8%),
Connectivity Problems (58.3%) and Insufficient Bandwidth (41.7%).
What are thebiggest problems regarding Wi-Fi that you encounter (click all that
apply)?
Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
Poor signal coverage 63.8% 324
Insufficient bandwidth 41.7% 212
Connectivity problems 58.3% 296
Low speed 64.6% 328
Poor call center support 13.6% 69
Other 9.1% 46
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
19
What are thebiggest problems regarding Wi-Fi that your guests encounter (click
all that apply)?
Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
Poor signal coverage 43.8% 81
Poor signal
coverage
Insufficient
bandwidth
Connectivity
problems
Low speed
Poor call
center support
2015 Hotel Internet Services. All Rights Reserved. The BeyondTV logo, and other trademarks are trademarks of Hotel Internet Services and may not be used without
permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
20
An Intimate Look
at Hospitality Wi-Fi
Past Problems with Hotel Wi-Fi
There are many problems that can occur with a Wi-Fi network. Here is the guests take on
what they feel is happening notably poor signal coverage (81%)!
What problems have you encountered in the past (whether the hotels system or your computers
problem) while trying to use the guest room Internet system at the hotels you have stayed at?
Response
Answer Options Response Count
Percent
25.4% 127
Access points down
40.6% 203
Internet down
81.0% 405
Poor signal coverage
9.8% 49
Call center support did not answer
21.4% 107
Hotel did not provide call centersupport
13.6% 68
Security settings on laptop preventing Internet access
17.8% 89
Could not send email
28.2% 141
Web Browser issues
17.8% 89
In-room equipment not working
5.6% 28
Could not get gaming station towork
48.4% 242
Could not get access
46
Other
Access points
down
What problems have
you encountered in Internet down
Inroom
equipment no...
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
21
What problems have your guests encountered in the past (whether the hotels
system or your computers problem) while trying to use the guest room Internet
system at the hotels you have stayed at? (Please check all that apply)
Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
Access points down 36.6% 64
Internet down 37.7% 66
Poor signal coverage 68.6% 120
Call center support did not answer 11.4% 20
Hotel did not provide call centersupport 11.4% 20
Security settings on laptop preventing Internet access 42.3% 74
Could not send email 12.0% 21
Web Browser issues 32.6% 57
In-room equipment not working 8.6% 15
Could not get gaming station towork 12.0% 21
Could not get access 37.1% 65
2015 Hotel Internet Services. All Rights Reserved. The BeyondTV logo, and other trademarks are trademarks of Hotel Internet Services and may not be used without
permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
22
An Intimate Look
at Hospitality Wi-Fi
Minimum Acceptable Speed
There is no question that Internet speed is of interest to guests. They are
happiest at 1 to 1.5 mbps + when getting free Wi-Fi.
What is the minimum free Internet speed you would be happy receiving?
Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
256K 4.9% 25
384K 3.5% 18
512K 17.7% 90
1.0 mbps 31.7% 161
1.5 mbps + 28.7% 146
Other 13.4% 68
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
23
How much total bandwidth do you have for your guest internet network now?
Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
1-5 Mbps 2.7% 4
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
24
An Intimate Look
The Need
24X7 Internet forSupport
More Bandwidth
Hoteliers Response
at Hospitality Wi-Fi
Over 60% of the guests felt that 24x7 Internet support is very important.
Hoteliers
Answer were asked if theyVery
Options planned on increasing guestNot
important bandwidth
important 44.9%
said they intended to provide additional
306
bandwidth. 202
Hotelier Response
Are you planning on increasing your total guest Internet bandwidth?
Response Response
Hoteliers
Answerweighed
Options in with a huge 94% saying that 24x7 Internet support is vital!
Percent Count
Yes 44.9% 66
Response
Answer Options Very important Not important
No 45.6% Count
67
174 11 185
Would you pay a small added fee with your Internet connection ($1-$2) to have a
secure encrypted Wi-Fi connection?
Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
Yes 57.0% 285
No 43.0% 215
Hotelier Response
45% of hoteliers agreed that a secure encrypted connection would be of use
for their guests.
Do you think your guests would pay a small added fee with your Internet
connection ($1-$2) to have a secure encrypted Wi-Fi connection?
Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
Yes 45.1% 79
No 54.9% 96
2015 Hotel Internet Services. All Rights Reserved. The BeyondTV logo, and other trademarks are trademarks of Hotel Internet Services and may not be used without
permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
25
24X7
AgedInternet
Wi-Fi Networks
Support An Intimate Look
at Hospitality Wi-Fi
Response Response
Response
Answer Options
Answer Options Very important Not important
Percent Count
Count
0-1 years 174 11 19.7% 29
185
1-2 years 23.1% 34
2-3 years 24.5% 36
Would you pay a small added fee with your Internet connection ($1-$2) to have a
secure encrypted Wi-Fi connection?
Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
Yes 57.0% 285
No 43.0% 215
Hotelier Response
45% of hoteliers agreed that a secure encrypted connection would be of use
for their guests.
Do you think your guests would pay a small added fee with your Internet
connection ($1-$2) to have a secure encrypted Wi-Fi connection?
Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
Yes 45.1% 79
No 54.9% 96
2015 Hotel Internet Services. All Rights Reserved. The BeyondTV logo, and other trademarks are trademarks of Hotel Internet Services and may not be used without
permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
26
An Intimate Look
at Hospitality Wi-Fi
The
AgedNeed
Wi-FiforNetworks
More Bandwidth
Hoteliers Response
Hoteliers Response to their own network.
Hoteliers were asked if they planned on increasing guest bandwidth 44.9%
Hoteliers
said were asked
they intended to about the
provide age of their
additional current Wi-Fi network. We
bandwidth.
discovered that over 51% were 2 to 5+ years old. Of course, the Wi-Fi
needs of guests have substantially shifted over the past few years with the
introduction of multiple devices that guests now bring with them.
Are you planning on increasing your total guest Internet bandwidth?
Response Response
Answer
How oldOptions
is your Current WIFI network?
Percent Count
Yes Response
44.9% Response
66
Answer Options
Percent Count
No 45.6% 67
0-1 years 19.7% 29
1-2 years 23.1% 34
2-3 years 24.5% 36
3-4 years 9.5% 14
4-5 years 6.1% 9
5+ years 11.6% 17
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
27
Hoteliers Response
at Hospitality Wi-Fi
When asked if they planned to upgrade, over 40% said they intended to
upgrade within the next 24 months with nearly 23% in under 12 months.
Response Response
Answer Options
Percent Count
0-12 months 22.6% 31
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
28
An Intimate Look
at Hospitality Wi-Fi
Summary
In the last few years there has been a major transition in the
hospitality Internet access industry. Once upon a time guests
checked into their rooms, unpacked their laptop and plugged it in
and inserted the Ethernet cable. The transition to Wi-Fi was simple
enough comparatively speaking. At least it was pretty straight
forward as users still were only connecting a laptop. But then the
next evolution of connecting changed as users of iPhones and
Androids wanted to connect their smartphones to the Internet and
while they are at it, lets connect up some tablets too. And unlike
guests sitting still at a laptop, smartphone users are on the move
and this sudden shift from stationary to moving about changed
the whole complexion of the game and instantly obsoleted most
installations. It takes a lot more technology to provide a good signal
when the user is moving from place to place. The current state-of-
the-art is very different today than just a couple of years ago.
So what did we learn from this encounter with both guests and
hoteliers? There were a number of things that came to light from
this study. For the most part, guests and hoteliers have some very
similar thoughts when it comes to Wi-Fi and connectivity.
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
29
An Intimate Look
The Guests View at Hospitality Wi-Fi
Devices
As we saw early in the study, Guests are carrying more and more devices.
Over 75% have smartphones, 68% laptops and nearly 62% take their
tablets on the road. Wearable technology is starting to show its face and
will make more of an impression as these devices proliferate throughout
the marketplace. In short, more devices demand more bandwidth and
robust Wi-Fi networks are a necessity!
Access
One of the key points, brought out in this study, is that guests want the
same level of access that they have at home and cannot understand why
hotels cannot accommodate them. This can cause major upsets with the
establishment. Guests want and are demanding high-quality Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi
is no longer an amenity. It is a utility like electricity and water, just different
pipes. In reality, Wi-Fi is the life blood of the hotel.
Streaming Content
More than half of the guests we surveyed said they wanted to stream
their own content. There is no doubt whatsoever that this percentage will
increase exponentially as guests have the apps and devices to make it
so. Guests are tuned in to Netflix, Hulu, iTunes, etc. Streaming content is
still an emerging technology embraced by nearly half of our respondents.
The rooms television is the focal point with access to content and hotel
amenities including housekeeping, in-room dining, billing, checkout, etc.
Look for guests, streaming content to increase substantially. It is clear that
guests want to stream content from their device as well as on the hotels
TV. They want to watch what they want, when they want, and of course,
where they want.
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
30
What does this mean for hoteliers? It means that there will be a continuous
need for more bandwidth as guests continue to make themselves feel
at home in the hotel of their choice. Guests want access throughout
the hotel, not just in their rooms or a business center but also in the
restaurants, gym, spa and out by the pool. Guests are demanding access
everywhere.
Encryption Is Important
57% of the guests surveyed would be amenable to paying a modest fee
($1 -$2) to have a secure encrypted Wi-Fi connection. This desire for
privacy is very strong especially after recent data breaches.
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permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
31
How are todays hoteliers coping with this demand? One thing is for sure, they are well
aware of guest desires for unlimited and ubiquitous Wi-Fi. Guests truly expect to have
the home experience in your hotel and what was valid two years ago is no longer the
case. How will hotels pay for all this connectivity? Perhaps tiered bandwidth could be the
solution. Some hotels have already established this.
Another area is location based services that can enhance the guest experience by
providing information, or special promotions as guests move through the property. For
example a guest walking past a hotel restaurant could be texted about a featured dinner
item, discounts, etc. There are numerous ways that Wi-Fi can be used to help promote
hotel services and products helping to improve the ROI on the network itself.
Conclusion
There is no question that guests and hoteliers recognize the current Wi-Fi scene,
its problems and its benefits. The challenge then is how to pay for all this increased
service. This study opens the door to a dialog between vendors and hoteliers to
meet this challenge.
2015 Hotel Internet Services. All Rights Reserved. The BeyondTV logo, and other trademarks are trademarks of Hotel Internet Services and may not be used without
permission. The names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
Keeping People Connected
East Coast: 2138 Alternate 19 North, Ste. A, Palm Harbor, FL 34683 West Coast: 4590 Ish Drive Suite #120, Simi Valley, CA 93063
www.hotelwifi.com 855-999-8110