Hospitality

New hotel has unique challenge for video services

The Challenge

 
A commercial and residential development firm needed to provide Digital Cable TV and High-Definition (HDTV) services to guest rooms at theWit Hotel, a newly constructed four-star hotel in downtown Chicago. There were several challenging requirements for this project and they needed a provider capable of bringing an advanced solution to the property. First, there were a variety of display device technologies deployed across the hotel’s guest rooms that required service via multiple signal types based on the television type. Next, was the requirement for the provider of choice to deliver a wide variety of programming without the need for a cable box on each television. Finally, it was essential that any engineered solution integrate cleanly with a 3rd party Video On-Demand Video ON DEMAND provider.

The Solution

 
Faced with the unique challenges presented by theWit Hotel, research led the development firm to RCN Business Services. Not only did RCN have a solution to leverage the various types of technology within the property, they could provide a wide variety of programming options without the need for a cable box in each guest room. Plus, RCN works with a host of 3rd party VOD providers and was deeply experienced in that area. Cindy Herzog, director of hospitality for ECD, said, “We needed to work with a team who could bring an advanced solution to our facility. RCN designed a system to deliver content without requiring a cable box in each room. More impressive was RCN’s ability to feed multiple signal types based on the type of television in the room, making it easy for us to make future changes and upgrades.”

RCN was able to provide these services because of their advanced state-of-the-art fiber optic network. Tom McKay, senior vice president technical operations and general manager, RCN Chicago, said, “When you own and operate an advanced fiber-rich network like ours and maintain control over end-to-end distribution, you can deploy top quality services quickly.”

The end result translates into satisfied Hotel guests who will get to enjoy RCN’s premier hotel lineup consisting of digital broadcast, cable, high definition and premium channels. RCN Business Services has an exemplary customer support team with dedicated Commercial Account Managers to handle all pre and post installation support. From start up through installation to ongoing support, RCN makes sure the hotel and its guests are completely satisfied.