May 26, 2009 -- Service provider WLAN specialist BelAir Networks announced that it was selected for Wi-Fi deployments by Omni Hotels, commencing in 2009. The Omni Fort Worth, which celebrated its grand opening January 12, 2009, was the brand's first BelAir Networks deployment site, followed by the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale. AFL Network Services, a provider of hospitality technology integration and wireless engineering, provided network design, installation and technical support for the projects.
Driven by the BelAirOS operating system software and managed by the company's BelView platform, BelAir Networks' indoor access points (AP) and outdoor wireless nodes, supporting both Wi-Fi and WiMAX as well as public safety, defense and intelligent transportation system (ITS) frequency bands, were deployed.
At the Omni Fort Worth, AFL Network Services deployed 77 BelAir20 APs. These ultra-compact, dual-radio, dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi indoor APs employ hosted software-based control enabling centralized management, and can lower network capex by about 30%, according to BelAir. Configurable as a wired AP, a mesh point or a bridge from outside, the BelAir20 AP supports both wireless and wired backhaul.
"AFL Network Services' job is really to complement Omni Hotel's in-house IT team by providing design, installation and technical support on both the wireless network and the structured cabling, so we have a huge stake in the success of their network," explains Kent Brown, vice president of AFL Network Services' enterprise division. "We've worked with BelAir Networks on many hospitality and campus deployments, and the feedback from customers and end users is always extremely positive."
"Omni Hotels has been real innovator in providing Wi-Fi services, so we're very proud to support the evolution of their Wi-Fi networks," adds Bernard Herscovich, president and CEO, BelAir Networks. "Our experience with hospitality, telecom and cable operators has enabled us to craft a product portfolio that delivers high-performance, cost-effective Wi-Fi coverage that's easy to manage."
Omni Hotels says it was the among the first luxury hotel brands in the US to offer system-wide Wi-Fi access in guest rooms and public spaces in 2003. Because Omni owns and manages the majority of their properties, technology support is centralized and standardized across the brand enabling rapid deployment and installation of new technology applications across the company. With a primary customer focus on upscale business and leisure travelers, Omni says it has experienced increased Internet use both in terms of the number of users as well as their bandwidth demands.
"With nearly 50 percent of our guests using Wi-Fi and their bandwidth demands continuing to accelerate, we sought a high-performance network partner which could ensure we continue to serve our customers' needs on a 'go-forward basis'," concludes Richard Tudgay, vice president of information technology for Omni Hotels. "BelAir Networks comprehensive portfolio of indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi networking products enables us to deliver high-capacity, ubiquitous coverage that is cost-effective and easy for us to manage centrally."
On the Web:
www.aflnetworkservices.com
www.belairnetworks.com
www.omnihotels.com