Private 5G networks are dramatically changing the way many industries operate, and now 5G is changing the hospitality industry as well. A Florida hotel has become the first hotel in America to deploy private 5G technology to give its guests high-speed wireless access and integrate all of its amenities.
Working in collaboration with private wealth management consulting firms GFO Investments and Airspan Networks, Gail South Beach is offering a private 5G network solution that it hopes will serve as a model for the rest of the hospitality industry .
Hilton
The Curio Collection hotel, a by Hilton property in Miami Beach, already boasts a number of innovative high-tech amenities for its guests. For example, a Google Nest Hub in each room allows guests to order room service with a simple “Hey Google” request.
The new private 5G network will further enhance the guest experience by offering seamless network coverage throughout the facility, both indoors and out.
This means that guests will have access to the hotel’s network and digital amenities, whether in their rooms, visiting one of the dining outlets, or hanging out by the rooftop pool.
Hilton
Private 5G networks will also be used to help tie together technology integrated within the hotel, including the Google Nest Hub in each guest’s room. They’ll be able to use an app provided by the hotel to track and control what’s happening in their rooms, no matter where they are on the property.
“This new technology will provide hotel guests with the fastest and most responsive digital connectivity available, impacting both guest engagement and hotel operations,” said Russell Galbat, chairman of GFO Investments. “The launch at GAIL South Beach will open new doors for hoteliers, helping operators to revolutionize their offerings with new technology, both in-room and on hotel complexes.”
Private 5G networks will also be used by hotel staff to keep them connected to voice and data applications that will work wherever they are. This includes intranet and Internet access applications and Push to Talk (PTT) services.
5G Benefits for Hospitality
Large hotels and resorts face many of the same problems as university and industrial complexes. They have too much area to cover effectively and reliably with traditional Wi-Fi networks.
However, these challenges are magnified in the hospitality industry. Hotels are expected to provide best-in-class service to their guests from check-in counters to in-room facilities and hotel amenities.
Hilton
Handling the busy environment of a large resort is something for which 5G technology is ideally suited. The wide range, low latency, and ability to handle many more devices means hotel operators don’t have to worry about network congestion, lagging connections, or dead spots that are more typical of Wi-Fi networks.
Using 5G, hotel systems can increasingly communicate with each other wirelessly, leading to faster automated check-in and check-out processes, improved room services, and reduced wait times .
Gail South Beach also hopes that its high-speed 5G network will solve many of the challenges guests face when trying to set up videoconferencing and virtual meetings.
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