The technology needs of hotel guests have changed significantly over the past five years. It used to be that guests, especially business travelers, were just looking for a room to sleep in. Families needed a bit more, with some additional entertainment options to keep everyone of all ages happy.

Then business travelers needed more amenities to help them get work done. Soon hotels were offering full-service Business Centers, and shifted to being a place where people could “get work done” and then to becoming almost a remote office, with all the capabilities that required including faxing and even staff to help facilitate complex tasks such as copying projects and shipping. While families, too, needed email access in their rooms for the adults to stay on top of their own work-related demands, the true demand for technology was being driven by the business guest.

Today, that scenario has turned on its head. While business travelers are still driving technology upgrades for hotels, the casual traveler, families, vacationers etc. are increasingly pushing the envelope with regard to new types of technologies and, in turn, what backbone support needs to be in place.

Why Wireless?

Guests need Internet access (in fact it’s ...