Marriott Overcomes Cell Signal Interference with Amplification System
When the new, full-service Milwaukee Marriott Downtown opened its doors in June, one of the hotel's contractors, Wave Renovations LLC, and its management company, White Lodging Services Corp., were confident that the building would deliver spectacular cellular service to meet guest demands. Enlisting the services of hospitality mobile solutions provider RoamingAround, Wave Renovations and White Lodging installed the Roam Boost cellular signal amplification system to ensure that all mobile calls, data transactions and communications would be conducted quickly and securely.
Roam Boost is designed to eliminate mobile dead spots in a hotel where there are weak or no signals available. The system differentiator is that Roam Boost is designed to increase coverage for all major cellular providers in 5,000 square foot increments in order to implement a custom designed solution that is targeted to the property’s individual needs.
"The Milwaukee Marriott Downtown, located at 323 East Wisconsin Ave., is half old and half new," said White Lodging VP of Information Technology, Ken Barnes. "The facades of the buildings on Wisconsin Ave. were preserved, but the building's interiors and the structures on Milwaukee Street were completely rebuilt. Even with an entirely new technology infrastructure, we noticed significant cell signal interference from the vast amount of glass being installed and the tall buildings surrounding the property. Basement spaces and guestrooms suffered the most.
"Because mobile technology is the key to successful hotel operations and exceptional guest experiences today, it was critical that we deliver problem-free connectivity property wide," Barnes said. "People just aren't going to call down to the front desk and ask to be transferred to a room to speak to a colleague or a friend, nor will they will use the in-room phone to call home or the office. Instead, they will rely on their smartphones or tablets to communicate onsite and off premises, and unless a hotel can support those devices, they will lose significant business. The cell signal amplification service provided by Roam Boost is giving guests at the Milwaukee Marriott Downtown the support they need."
Based on the successful deployment of Roam Boost at the Milwaukee Marriott Downtown, Barnes said that White Lodging will soon install Roam Boost at its River North hotel triplex in Chicago, comprised of Aloft Chicago City Center, Fairfield Inn & Suites Chicago Downtown/River North, and Hyatt Place Chicago/River North. The solution will be installed across the facility's shared meeting space.
Roam Boost is designed to eliminate mobile dead spots in a hotel where there are weak or no signals available. The system differentiator is that Roam Boost is designed to increase coverage for all major cellular providers in 5,000 square foot increments in order to implement a custom designed solution that is targeted to the property’s individual needs.
"The Milwaukee Marriott Downtown, located at 323 East Wisconsin Ave., is half old and half new," said White Lodging VP of Information Technology, Ken Barnes. "The facades of the buildings on Wisconsin Ave. were preserved, but the building's interiors and the structures on Milwaukee Street were completely rebuilt. Even with an entirely new technology infrastructure, we noticed significant cell signal interference from the vast amount of glass being installed and the tall buildings surrounding the property. Basement spaces and guestrooms suffered the most.
"Because mobile technology is the key to successful hotel operations and exceptional guest experiences today, it was critical that we deliver problem-free connectivity property wide," Barnes said. "People just aren't going to call down to the front desk and ask to be transferred to a room to speak to a colleague or a friend, nor will they will use the in-room phone to call home or the office. Instead, they will rely on their smartphones or tablets to communicate onsite and off premises, and unless a hotel can support those devices, they will lose significant business. The cell signal amplification service provided by Roam Boost is giving guests at the Milwaukee Marriott Downtown the support they need."
Based on the successful deployment of Roam Boost at the Milwaukee Marriott Downtown, Barnes said that White Lodging will soon install Roam Boost at its River North hotel triplex in Chicago, comprised of Aloft Chicago City Center, Fairfield Inn & Suites Chicago Downtown/River North, and Hyatt Place Chicago/River North. The solution will be installed across the facility's shared meeting space.