Dear WuBookers, today we’re talking about a very important aspect for hotel guests and, consequently, for hoteliers: the hotel’s internet connection. A faulty internet connection can compromise the hotel experience, leading to dissatisfaction and… the dreaded negative reviews!
In this article, we’ll look at how to ensure a stable connection and meet customer expectations.

Why internet connection is important
To understand how important it is for guests to have a stable and fast internet connection, just consider that many OTAs include this item among the evaluation parameters of their reviews. Yet, it is not always that simple: large hotels with many rooms and numerous guests connected at the same time or rural establishments located in remote places may encounter various difficulties in maintaining a good connection. Overloads and slowdowns, as well as outdated infrastructure, can compromise network quality and cause problems not only for those staying at the property, but also for those who work there. Consider for a moment all the tasks that are performed online by hotel staff: receiving reservations, registering guests, sending emails and administrative communications… almost everything depends on the internet!
That’s why it’s essential to equip yourself in the right way, with solutions and measures suitable for every situation.

How to manage the internet connection in hotels: possible technologies and solutions
Fortunately, technology offers several solutions, which can also be combined. In general, connection types can be divided into three broad categories: wired (via cable), wireless (without a direct cable), and satellite.

ADSL
This is the “classic” connection, via telephone line, i.e., wired. Among its pros is the fact that it is inexpensive and quite widespread, even in less well-served areas.
On the other hand, it has limited speed and risks being unstable if several guests connect at the same time.

Fiber optics (FTTC / FTTH)
A more modern technology, it transports data via fiber optic cables. A distinction is made between FTTC (fiber to the street cabinet, then copper to the building) and FTTH (fiber to the hotel, the fastest and most stable).
It guarantees very high speed, stability, and an excellent experience even for multiple connected users, but it is not always available in all areas and the cost can vary significantly.

Wireless radio connection (FWA – Fixed Wireless Access)
In this case, the internet is accessed via radio antennas that cover a certain area.
This is a valid alternative to fiber where it is not available. On the other hand, however, it depends on proximity and visibility to the antenna and can be affected by bad weather.

Mobile connection (4G/5G)
Also wireless, it uses the cellular network via SIM and dedicated routers. It is fast (especially with 5G) and easy to activate, but data consumption is limited compared to fiber or ADSL, and coverage is not always uniform.

Satellite connection
Internet comes via satellite, without the need for cables. It is very useful in isolated areas or areas not reached by fiber or ADSL. However, it can have delays (latency) and data consumption limits. Speed also varies greatly.
To summarize the characteristics and advantages of each solution, we can say that:

• fiber: the best choice where available;
• ADSL: an economical but limited solution;
• radio links and 4G/5G: valid alternatives in areas not covered by fiber;
• satellite: the last option for truly isolated areas.

Tips for avoiding service disruptions
These are the solutions currently available on the market, but much depends on the area where the hotel is located, the technical possibilities, and its specific characteristics and needs.
However, there are some best practices for limiting malfunctions and service disruptions, which, as we have already mentioned, risk compromising both the user experience (leisure and especially business) and that of the hotel staff.

Provide multiple connections together
Many hotels use multiple technological solutions together, such as fiber as the main line and 4G/5G as a backup. The hybrid connection ensures continuity of service even in the event of failures and is therefore highly recommended to avoid interruptions.
There are various ways to combine connection types. In bonding mode, connections are added together, increasing upload and download speeds. With load balancing, on the other hand, the system uses the most efficient connection at that moment to avoid congestion on the same line. Finally, failover means that when the main line is down, the backup line is automatically activated.

Split the bandwidth
Multiplying internet connections is not the only way to ensure that everyone, guests and staff alike, can go online at the same time. Another solution is bandwidth sharing systems that distribute the signal across different areas. They do not add new lines, but manage the existing line (or lines) better and serve to regulate speed equally among users, preventing a few guests from consuming all the bandwidth. For example, if three guests are watching HD movies at the same time, the system slightly limits their consumption so that others can also browse without problems.
So, to simplify: having more lines means activating more different routes to the internet; while when you divide the bandwidth, it is as if there were a “traffic cop” regulating traffic on the available roads.

“Emergency” technologies for difficult areas
In some very isolated areas (e.g., mountain refuges, lodges in the middle of nature, or facilities in areas without telephone coverage), having a stable internet connection is a real challenge because neither cables nor cellular networks are available. In these cases, independent solutions are used, which do not rely on local infrastructure.
These solutions include:

• satellite connections with their own power systems. The internet comes from the satellite, so it works anywhere there is visibility of the sky. The system can also include generators or solar panels so as not to depend on the public electricity grid;
• hybrid solutions with renewable energy: energy can be produced by solar panels or small wind turbines, so the facility remains autonomous for both internet and electricity;
• backup batteries: these are accumulators that store energy to keep the connection active even during a blackout or when the sun and wind are not enough.

A few final tips to ensure optimal connectivity in hotels
In addition to technology, there are other considerations to keep in mind when it comes to connectivity. The first concerns contracts: whatever operator you choose, it is important that the service is suitable for the facility, i.e., tailored to the needs of a business customer, which are very different from those of a domestic user.
Speaking of providers, even with the best connection, disruptions can occur (failures, line drops, technical problems). It is therefore essential that the hotel and the internet provider agree in advance on the emergency measures to be taken in the event of malfunctions (such as a backup line so that guests are not left without internet access) and on the forms of intervention provided by the operator, i.e., how and how quickly the provider undertakes to resolve problems.
Finally, ease of access. Connecting to the internet must be simple and intuitive: whether via a dedicated app, a QR code, or an Ethernet cable, make sure your guests can browse without any problems.

And what about hotel staff?
What we have seen so far also applies to hotel staff, who must be able to rely on a stable and secure connection for their daily activities. In this sense, the operating software chosen can also make a difference.
Zak, the hotel management software from WuBook, for example, requires very little bandwidth to operate well, as it uses high-performance caching systems to minimize waiting times for the end customer. Furthermore, as it is a cloud-based program, it does not need to be installed on a computer: to access it, simply log in online with your credentials as you would for a normal website.
And if the internet connection goes down, regular backups allow you to trace back to the last save to recover data and operations.
An effective and efficient system for managing your property without being caught unprepared, even in the face of unfortunate (yet possible) connection failures.