Western Hotelier Magazine Feature Article "Keep that Stream Flowing"

Devices in purses, pockets, and tote bags; the average traveller is connected like never before. The phone, tablet and laptop are unpacked before anything else and guests expect to connect with the room’s TV and internet in more-or-less the same way they do at home

The key word is expect. If something interferes with a guest’s expected experience, it’s going to result in a less than perfect review. Connectivity is as expected as running water, clean towels, and a line to the front desk.

James Arndt, head of division for the Enterprise Business Division at Samsung Electronics Canada says hospitality businesses are making improvements to meet guests’ elevated expectations as well as to benefit internally from advances in in-room technology.

“Today’s guests want accommodations that match or exceed the comforts of their own homes,” he says. “This growing demand has prompted hotels to deliver a fully connected guest experience, including in-room TV technology that serves as the main interface.”

Beyond delivering on expectations, the systems that provide this connectivity will become assets just like any physical asset of a property. Robert Grosz, president of WorldVue (formerly known as World Cinema) explains the importance of these foundational elements.

“Just as things of brick and mortar are assets of today, digital infrastructure will be considered one of those assets,” he says, adding that what it will deliver is of benefit to both guest and hotelier. “I think the motion that’s on the screen is going to be more impressive. Very intriguing content and very dynamic content. It’s just going to get so much better in terms of quality and in relevance to that guest.”

Pomeroy Lodging’s network infrastructure needed to be enhanced to accommodate the already increasing guest demands, says Susie Goodwin, director of system applications.

“Before, it used to be just getting in-room movies,” she says of the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge. “There’s actually a small percentage [of guests] who want to come to a hotel and rent a movie. But, in the evenings 80 per cent of our clientele are streaming. You can imagine the infrastructure we need in place.”

Streaming is the primary way content is being consumed, says Richard Chen, President and COO of Vytio IPTV Solutions. Therefore, the ability to stream content on the in-room TV from their preferred device the way they are used to gives guests a greater sense of familiarity and a more comfortable stay.

“This content should be available to them to view on their screen in the hotel room,” he says. “We have a solution for this and some of our competitors do as well. It’s the casting route. This has reached a point now where enough hotels have something along this line, so it’s somewhat of a disappointment if that isn’t available.”

Read the entire article at Western Hotelier Magazine: https://www.westernhotelier.com/images/pdf/Western_Hotelier_Magazine-Sept-Oct-2023.pdf#page=27

Richard Chen - President & COO, Vytio IPTV Solutions