For the business user, gaining access to High Speed Internet Access outside the office environment is one of today's most important needs, regardless of where in the world they may be. Historically bars, hotels and restaurants have offered their customers Internet access as a given, predominantly on a paid for - dial up service. When this technology offering was first introduced providers 'revenue shared' with the venue and as a result were not in control of billing, but more importantly, could not be flexible with their service provision.

But what of the future? There is now a move towards providing HSIA 'free of charge' to the guest as part of a unique marketing - loyalty strategy. Guest usage is on the increase as technology advances and within 12 months all laptops will be WiFi enabled. In 2007 the industry has witnessed phenomenal growth that shows no signs of slowing down. WiFi has seen the largest take up of guest usage and is anticipated to be the biggest IT expectation for HSIA in the hotel and venue market.

For venues to remain competitive, they must be ahead of the connectivity 'wave'. Users are becoming more demanding, not because of their capricious nature, but because of the applications they are running or need access to. The move from basic email and light web surfing to heavy email use and web content heralds a trend towards the use of many online applications. Sending and receiving huge attachments is the norm, as is web casting, video conferencing, access to streaming video and finally using applications like iTunes, YouTube, Joost, SlingBox and SKYPE. Are these applications putting huge demands on your boradband as well as impacting on the cost of running this service?

WiFi is certainly seen as the way forward. WiFi infrastructures deliver versatile, multi-functional networks, which can add value to the operation of the venue. Securely covering the entire property, WiFi can also drive EPOS, mobile check in & check out, assist with housekeeping and maintenance, as well as allowing the guest to interface directly with F&B. Also with evolving telephony technology, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), WiFi can integrate with emerging technologies from Motorola and Nokia that allows guests to make and receive calls free of charge, over a VoIP network.

Venues now have the opportunity to take control of their Internet service offering and can experience rapid ROI through a number of revenue channels. By keeping abreast of changes in technology, venues can boost revenue, increase sales and occupancy and can experience increased customer satisfaction whilst experiencing high levels of repeat business.

Harvie Rollins, IT Director of English Lakes Hotels in Cumbria and a RIEO Communications customer comments:

"We used to receive a few enquiries about Internet access, now we're at the stage where guests expect it. While some parts of the hospitality sector may remain 'late adopters' of this kind of technology, English Lakes and RIEO Communications are showing it is possible for all hotels to implement and benefit from HSIA right now. We decided we could only implelement a system if we were confident it would deliver access that would be quick enough for our guests. We wanted a service that we could offer throughout the hotels, a service on which we could rely and which would require the minimum of input from us. RIEO's level of knowledge is extremely high and the information is presented in a way that's non technical and easy to understand."

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