Massive usage in internet bandwidth is leading some of the
biggest hotels in the US to ponder whether they should keep offering completely
free WiFi.
Currently, all hotels are still offering WiFi, but many
large hotel chains like Marriott International and Carlson Hotels are now
giving guests a choice of an upgraded connection that offers faster speeds and
more bandwidth, for an additional cost, of course.
The demand is
growing out of control with free internet access being the most highly
requested amenity offered during a hotel stay. With the increase smart phone
and laptop presence for travelers, hotels are seeing bandwidth demand
rise. Dave Garrison, the CEO of iBahn, references data acquired in the
months of March 2011 to December 2011, saying they have seen a 50% increase in
data usage from hotel internet connections.
The increase of
bandwidth usage increases the costs for the hotel to provide smooth internet
service. Hotels have been beefing up their connections, and with the additional
costs on their end, they are open to the idea of offering different speeds of
internet with different cost brackets.
IBahn recently
stated that 40% of their guests have 2 different WiFi devices, while a 1 in 4
of their guests are carrying 3 or more.
This battle for
bandwidth could spell additional fees for travelers.
Michael Patton, CEO of POTHOS, believes this is the wrong decision to make. "When more than 70% of travelers
saying internet is the single most important service offering. Just like TV, this service
should be for free as it is a business and life requirement for us to stay
connected."
