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Smart Cities Connect Spring 2025: Driving Innovation in Urban Transformation The Smart Cities Connect Spring 2025 Conference & Expo was held in San Antonio, TX, from April 14–16, 2025 and convened with over 200 city leaders, technologists, and innovators to explore the future of urban development. Key Themes and Sessions:
As part of my personal view and attending sessions, here is my highlight! One of the first sessions I attended was listending to how Skydio uses UAS drones for high mass light tower inspection and is working with Texas Department of Transportation saving time from what took 95 minutes that is now whittled down to only 16 minutes. Skydio also mentioned we have moved to a 1:1 relationship for managing drones in cities to a 1 to many relationship where UAS docking and preprogramming is advancing drone operations within cities. Additional use cases are event driven including those for public safety, rail inspection, bridge inspection, and building management. Another session I enjoyed was listening to University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA, and my MBA alma mater) and the team share more about their digital twin research project for City of San Antonio. The digital twin was built using geospatial, AI, machine vision, large language models (ChatGPT), 3D visualization, and NVIDIA Omniverse. The team also mentioned using the electric utility network for distribution to showcase CPS Energy data and information. Some of the primary use cases for the city included heat island identification, flood monitoring, and in the future planning for EV charging infrastructure build out and predicting the overall impact to enterprise fleets. A highlight of the event for me was the workshop, "Immersive Experiences Driven by Intelligent Data for the Modern Urban Environment. Here is my summary of that workshop. How Smart City Leaders Are Powering the Future with Real-Time Data and Integrated Solutions This workshop event held at Smart Cities Connect focused on advancing smart city innovation, with a panel of industry leaders from NVIDIA, AMSYS Innovation Solutions, True North Software Solutions, and Ipsotek shared insights on how technology is reshaping urban infrastructure, public safety, and city services, and in the end citizen or patron experiences. Laying the Foundation for Smarter Cities Bill Pugh of True North Software Solutions kicked things off by outlining the key steps cities should take to begin their smart city journey. He emphasized the importance of leveraging operational dashboards and digital twins—not just to analyze historical data, but to harness real-time information. By doing so, cities can make critical, data-driven decisions that directly impact public safety, transportation, and municipal services. True North’s approach goes beyond the typical “reactive” data model. Their operational dashboards integrate live data streams, enabling secure dynamic decision-making that supports a range of city department and agency services in real time. Frisco, Texas: Scaling Innovation Across Departments Wade Medlock from the City of Frisco, Texas, shared how their SAFER initiative has grown far beyond its original scope. What began as a modest goal has evolved into a wide-reaching program supporting multiple city departments and agencies. Today, Frisco has roughly 85 applications running across its network—each playing a role in making the city more efficient, secure, and responsive to residents’ needs. Wade discussed how it is working with AMSYS and the rest of the partner team to elevate SAFER to the next level for the city. Smarter Surveillance with Intelligent Cameras Sean Grimm of Ipsotek brought attention to the capabilities of smart cameras—many of which are already deployed on city streets. Far from being limited to traffic monitoring, these cameras can now provide advanced insights into public safety and city operations. This tech represents a massive opportunity to extract more value from existing infrastructure. NVIDIA Blueprints in Action Jumbi Edulbehram of NVIDIA helped define AI for the audience and gave a great example (You had to be there!). In addition he shared how NVIDIA is working collaboratively with AMSYS and their partners to provide the blueprints so execution of these services for applications such as intelligent traffic management and public safety response become a reality and scale efficiently. Bringing It All Together with “The Collective” John Rohrer and Jacque Istok of AMSYS Innovative Solutions described their role as a master systems integrator, highlighting their collaboration with a network of trusted partners known as “The Collective.” Their mission: combine best-in-breed solutions to transform how cities function. They discussed how getting started with AMSYS is a conversation and mutual relationship in learning, collaborating, and bringing the right solutions to the table. From elevating campus experiences and improving patient care in hospitals to streamlining city services, their integrated approach is delivering powerful results. They shared examples of projects across a variety of industries and use cases. Final Thoughts - Smart Cities Should Work For You, Not To You: Traffic management has long been the flagship use case for smart city technology. But as IoT, artificial intelligence, and intelligent data systems evolve, the potential use cases are expanding rapidly. These technologies are now enabling new services and experiences that go far beyond simply managing congestion. The message from these industry leaders is clear: smart city solutions should empower communities, not overwhelm them. As cities continue to adopt cutting-edge technology, the focus must remain on practical, people-centered outcomes—solutions that work for the city, its workers, and its residents.   The closer we get to real world simulation, experiential modeling, and replication of operational and business scenarios, the closer we get to true automation and useful business intelligence. With both World Foundation Models (WFM) and Digital Twin Technologies we introduce transformative tools to support in the reshaping of how industries and government simulate, analyze, and interact with real-world environments. While both are grounded in simulation and real-world representation, their purposes and applications diverge in key ways.
World Foundation Models for AI As shared during Jensen's #CES2025 keynote, the future of powering robots and self-driving cars will be boosted by world foundation models #WFM. World foundation models are large-scale #AI systems designed to simulate and understand real-world complexities. As we simulate and train, we garner intelligence to streamline, automate, predict, and act. These models are built on vast datasets and trained to comprehend language, patterns, and environments, enabling them to generate predictive insights, autonomous decisions, and advanced simulations. They are commonly applied in fields like climate modeling, urban planning, robotics, autonomous vehicles and systems to understand how systems behave under varying scenarios. Digital Twin Technologies Digital twins, on the other hand, are virtual replicas of physical assets, systems, or processes. SIDE NOTE: If you really want a #digitaltwins 101 course, I highly recommend you speak with Bill Pugh⚡️. With digital twins, a business-city-agency-manufacturer-military can mirror the state and behavior of their operational-production-supply chain-logistics-traffic real-world counterparts in real-time, allowing users to monitor, analyze, and optimize performance. Digital twins are widely used in manufacturing, energy, military, and healthcare to simulate operational scenarios, predict failures, and improve efficiencies. Finding Common Ground in Simulation and Real-World Scenarios There are 3 primary similarities between world foundation models and digital twin technologies.
Why Both are Important for Digital Transformation Both offer focal points that support in automation and business intelligence, and thus advancing digital transformation journeys of businesses and government. Foundation models emphasize understanding and solving large-scale, abstract problems, while digital twins focus on replicating and optimizing specific physical entities or processes. In addition, the real-time and real-world features of world foundational models and digital twin technologies promote prediction and arming businesses and government with accurate information to make informed decisions. Digital twins are inherently tied to real-time updates from physical counterparts, whereas foundation models are more predictive and exploratory in nature. By understanding their unique strengths and shared capabilities, developers, engineers, business managers, and researchers can choose the right tool—or combine both—to tackle complex challenges and drive innovation.  In the ever-evolving landscape of in-building wireless connectivity, the role of Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) is being re-evaluated. Traditionally favored for their ability to enhance cellular coverage within large buildings and venues like stadiums, DAS is now seen as less viable for smaller, less complex environments due to high costs and inflexibility. Emerging technologies such as small cells, Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS), and private LTE networks are stepping up as the new champions of indoor connectivity, promising more scalable, cost-effective solutions especially as we move into the era of 5G. To stay competitive, businesses must modernize their infrastructure to support applications like automation and asset connectivity, enabling optimized 4G/LTE performance, expanded 5G capabilities, and a smooth transition to 6G networks. "To further the scale and cost challenges, Mobile Network Operators are making decisions to no longer finance DAS. The carriers are pushing for a business or venue funded model, shifting the financial burden to the venue, building owner, or business decision-maker." - Compass Intelligence Four key factors contribute to DAS shutdown or DAS replacement needs:  DAS Limitations & Financially Attractive Alternatives DAS systems, once the standard for large-scale cellular coverage, are increasingly becoming impractical to maintain and manage. Their complexity, reliance on extensive cabling, and high installation and maintenance costs limit their scalability and adaptability for modern needs. DAS setups require custom designs tailored to each building, further driving up costs per deployment. Additionally, with mobile network operators (MNOs) withdrawing funding for DAS installations, the financial burden has shifted to businesses and venue owners. This, along with their limited flexibility in accommodating multiple carriers, challenges the sustainability of DAS in today’s cost-conscious and rapidly evolving connectivity landscape. Push Towards Cost-Efficient Multi-Carrier Modern networks embrace Multi-Operator Core Networks (MOCN i.e., neutral host) because they enable multiple carriers to share a common infrastructure, which reduces costs, increases efficiency, and accelerates deployment in areas with limited coverage. In a MOCN setup, operators share base stations while maintaining independent core networks, simplifying physical infrastructure requirements, and reducing equipment duplication. This is particularly beneficial in locations where building separate networks would be financially or logistically challenging, such as dense urban areas and high-traffic indoor spaces like multi-floor buildings, venues, and hotels. Compass Intelligence believes DAS solutions initially cost on average between $2-$4 per square foot, and ongoing maintenance, upgrades, and servicing increases that investment. These solutions also require significant infrastructure and can be more challenging for ongoing maintenance and upgrades, especially as the industry transitions to 5G. Costly Infrastructure Upgrades Upgrading DAS requires significant infrastructure investments, driven by factors such as the system’s complexity, scalability challenges, and evolving technology demands. These upgrades are often necessary every 2 to 4 years, depending on the infrastructure, configuration, and demand. Each DAS system is customized for specific venues, requiring tailored cabling, antennas, amplifiers, and base stations, which may need to be replaced or heavily modified to support new network technologies. In contrast to small cells, which are modular and designed for easy scaling and updating, DAS installations typically demand substantial physical modifications to accommodate increased data speeds, bandwidth, and user capacity required by new standards. Furthermore, each upgrade cycle often involves specialized labor for re-engineering coverage zones, rerouting cabling, and adding new hardware, all of which drive up installation and maintenance costs. Funding Shifting from MNOs to Businesses As mobile network operators (MNOs) withdraw funding for DAS installations, the financial burden is shifting to businesses and venue owners, raising concerns about the sustainability of DAS in an increasingly cost-conscious market. This shift is expected to accelerate, reshaping the landscape of in-building wireless connectivity. AT&T, for example, is moving toward replacing DAS with small cells as part of its transition to 5G, while Verizon is also moving away from DAS as part of its expansion strategy. AT&T sees small cells as ideal for dense urban areas, where wireless networks face a range of challenges. Meanwhile, T-Mobile continues to support DAS installations for large venues, such as buildings over 500,000 square feet, but is also investing in more modern solutions like small cells and other in-building wireless systems. All three carriers are planning to phase out DAS and replace it over the next 2 to 5 years. As cellular networks advance, several factors support the case for small cell solutions as a replacement for DAS. Below we dive a bit deeper. 1. Support of 4G/LTE with Flexibility of 5G Transition The integration of 5G technology into in-building wireless strategies is perhaps the most significant factor driving the shift away from traditional DAS. While updated DAS systems can support 5G, the high costs and extensive retrofitting required to upgrade existing DAS for 5G compatibility are prompting a shift toward alternative technologies. Small cells, designed to support 4G/LTE today, are inherently more adaptable to 5G. They offer a cost-effective solution for managing higher data speeds and increased connectivity demands. Unlike DAS, small cells can be quickly deployed in much larger numbers and positioned closer together to handle the increased data load that accompanies 5G, while still supporting 4G/LTE. This results in better performance, lower latency, and improved coverage, which are crucial as 5G continues to roll out. The integration of 5G technology into in-building wireless strategies is perhaps the most significant factor influencing the shift away from traditional DAS. The updated DAS systems can support 5G; however, the high costs associated with upgrading existing DAS to be 5G-compatible are prompting a reconsideration of alternative technologies. Small cells and CBRS are inherently more adaptable to 5G, offering a cost-effective way to manage higher data speeds and increased connectivity demands without the extensive retrofitting required by DAS. 2. Smarter Economics, Modern Solutions Small cells offer a modular, cost-effective, and quick-to-deploy solution for expanding cellular coverage. Their incremental deployment makes them ideal for managing the growing demand for mobile data, especially in dense urban environments. Designed for easy updates, small cells align well with the rapid rollout of new cellular standards, including 5G. Similarly, CBRS has emerged as a powerful tool, offering secure, reliable connectivity that is particularly attractive for enterprise applications. With its flexibility and capacity to support a wide range of applications—from IoT to tailored business services—CBRS is a future-proof technology that could replace DAS in many scenarios. Modern systems require modern solutions, and small cells are the ideal choice. Easier to install and scale than DAS, small cells can be deployed incrementally, allowing coverage to expand as demand increases without the extensive infrastructure needed by DAS. This capability is especially crucial for 5G, which requires dense coverage with smaller cells distributed across urban areas, multi-floor buildings, and high-rise commercial properties. Enterprises and mobile network operators (MNOs) are embracing small cells for their affordability, quicker deployment timelines, and ability to support long-term cellular use cases. As the industry continues to modernize, small cells will play a central role in enhancing both indoor and outdoor connectivity. 3. In-Building Wireless Requires Flexible Options As multi-carrier connectivity becomes the norm for enterprises and multi-use buildings, the need for flexible options to support diverse user needs—whether for patrons, office workers, or residents—has never been more critical. Below, we explore key trends and developments that underscore the shift away from traditional DAS and highlight the growing adoption of solutions like small cells, open networks, and ORAN (Open Radio Access Networks).
The Future Landscape As we look to the future, the trajectory is clear: the dominance of DAS is waning in favor of more agile, economically viable technologies. Small cells and CBRS are not only addressing the current limitations of DAS but are also setting the stage for a more connected future. With MNOs and businesses focusing on reducing costs and increasing efficiency, the shift towards these newer technologies is likely to accelerate, reshaping the landscape of in-building wireless connectivity. This transition from DAS to technologies like small cells and CBRS underscores a broader movement towards more dynamic, scalable wireless solutions that can adapt to the rapid technological advancements defining the telecommunications industry today. As we continue to advance, the focus will undoubtedly remain on solutions that combine cost efficiency with robust performance to meet the ever-growing expectations of a connected world. As enterprises and property owners plan their connectivity strategies, the small cell neutral host model offers a path to future-proofing networks with flexibility, cost-efficiency, and operational simplicity. Embracing this technology now will ensure businesses are equipped to meet the demands of an increasingly connected and data-driven world. Those who start planning now will be well-positioned to provide seamless, reliable service that meets the needs of today’s increasingly connected world. The transition from DAS to newer technologies marks a pivotal step in creating a connected enterprise, ensuring both resilience and scalability for years to come. ___________________________ Written by Stephanie Atkinson, CEO of Compass Intelligence About Compass Intelligence Compass Intelligence is a market research and advisory firm specializing in metrics-driven market intelligence and insights for the mobile, IoT, and high-tech industries serving tech clients for more than 18 years. Compass Intelligence offers executive insights, market sizing/forecasting and modeling, competitive analysis, strategic consulting, advisory services, trending analysis, and survey research services. Compass Intelligence helps guide strategic business decisions and supports the success of our clients through delivering content engagement, go-to-market planning, competitive positioning, and strategic advisory. For more information, please visit https://www.compassintel.com.
At Embedded World in Austin, TX in October 2024, Stephanie Atkinson sits down with Nakul Duggal of Qualcomm to discuss the age of industrial intelligence.
​This ExecChat is joined with Nakul Duggal of Qualcomm interviewed by Stephanie Atkinson of Compass Intelligence. As we enter into the age of industrial intelligence, we are not only connecting supply chains, assets, industrial equipment, and autonomous systems, we are also bringing intelligence to the edge. Qualcomm announces 2 big announcements at Embedded World 24 held in Austin. Explore some of the latest announcements and Nakul's take on the future of the industrial workplace.  Stephanie Atkinson to sit down with Brandon Satrom for a fireside chat on October 8th at IoT Stars to discuss Blue's "Twelve Factor Thing."
GET TICKETS NOW AT 25% off FOR FRIENDS OF COMPASSINTEL! Following up on the press release this week, Dense Air announced the availability of the Millenium Garages Use Case study report written by Stephanie Atkinson of Compass Intelligence. The primary objectives of the Millenium Garages and Dense Air collaboration (pilot/case study) included a four-phased approach to achieve seamless cellular connectivity in the Chicago-based deep underground parking garage.
The 4 PHASES include the following:
Dense Air’s end-to-end partnership with Millennium Garages provided a turnkey solution that bridged connectivity gaps and is set up to drive operational efficiency. Dense Air delivered a robust network that was swiftly deployed and continually supported. They enhanced cellular coverage using denseWare™ analytics, strategic infrastructure reuse, and an OpEx funding model. The entire process ensured seamless communication for enhancing the parking experience and allows for future sophisticated technological integrations, including smart parking and IoT applications. Millennium Garages is now better positioned as a technologically advanced facility, benefiting daily operations and enhancing user experiences. Discover how Dense Air's innovative cellular solutions can transform your facility's connectivity. DenseAir.net  The utilities industry is undergoing a transformative shift, driven by the integration of automation, Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced sensor systems. Automation is taking place in water conservation, waste management, oil monitoring, and energy usage/conservation. A number of key technologies are revolutionizing how utilities operate, enabling more efficient monitoring, enhanced asset management, and a stronger commitment to sustainability.
Key trends such as Lightweight Machine-to-Machine (LwM2M) protocol adoption, smart metering (AMI - advanced metering infrastructure), and predictive maintenance are paving the way for a smarter and more sustainable future. Below are some key trends in the utilities industry: Grid Modernization The industry is undergoing a shift to modernize key infrastructure, delivery, and services. The aging electrical grid is currently experiencing modernization with advanced technologies such as smart meters, sensors, and automation systems. This is expected to improve grid reliability, enhance outage management, and better the integration of renewable energy sources. Renewable Energy Integration As part of sustainability across utilities, we are seeing an increasing adoption of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, along with the push for electric vehicles (EVs).The goal is to reduce carbon emissions, provide a diversification of energy supply and resources, and align with sustainable development goals (SDGs). While EVs have not taken off as expected due to lowering demands, the infrastructure is also playing catch up as charging stations continue to be constructed across the U.S. Energy Storage Solutions Along the lines with a strong focus on renewable energy and resources, there is a growing trend in the deployment of large-scale battery storage systems to store energy generated from renewable sources. This trend is expected to enhance grid stability, improve the demand response capabilities, and enable efficient energy utilization.  In today’s connected world, seamless and reliable indoor cellular coverage is a necessity. As technology advances and the industry transitions from 4G to 5G, enterprises and cities face challenges in providing consistent and ubiquitous connectivity. In partnership with industry analyst, Stephanie Atkinson, of Compass Intelligence, we dive deep into these challenges and explore solutions to ensure reliable, secure, end-to-end connectivity for businesses and communities in my latest position paper: “Industry Insights: Streamlining Indoor Connectivity.”
Read report: https://denseair.net/news The success of the hospitality industry hinges on providing the most optimal guest experience, and this means remaining competitive by providing new and innovative guest experiences. To truly stand out, hotels must go beyond the ordinary and create memorable experiences that guests will cherish and share. The industry continues to rebound while relying on technology as the foundation for many enticing and interactive guest services. According to CompassIntel.com, the U.S. hospitality industry is expected to spend an estimated $60 billion (about $180 per person in the US) on technology in 2024, driven by automation and innovation around improving the overall guest experience and improving occupancy. Hotels must continuously innovate and evolve to meet and exceed guest expectations, and technology is playing a significant role in elevating the hotel guest experience. Technology, including cellular, IoT, AI, and data analytics, is revolutionizing the hospitality industry, significantly enhancing the hotel guest experience through interactive services and personalization. Continuous connectivity is expected both inside and outside the hotel and serves as a foundational tool for many of these evolving services. In addition, the guest and interactive services riding on top of the network, along with hotel operations require a reliable and proven cellular network. It is paramount that today’s hotel owners and leaders not only build their knowledge base of key trends and innovations occurring in the hospitality industry, but to also understand what is driving these key trends. These core trends below are pushing hoteliers and property managers to new heights by focusing on what is core to the business; retention, loyalty, and satisfying guest experiences.  Below are some of the key trends we will explore:
Personalization: Crafting Unique Guest Journeys Personalization is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Modern travelers expect tailored experiences that cater to their individual preferences and needs, and customized experiences are a growing trend. Hotels use data analytics to gain insights into guest behavior and preferences and track past and future guests in new and meaningful ways. By using customer relationship management (CRM) systems that have added layers of guest data intelligence, hotels are creating personalized experiences, such as customized welcome messages, room preferences, and personalized recommendations for local activities and dining options. Technology Integration: Seamless and Efficient Services The integration of advanced technology can significantly enhance the guest experience by providing convenience and efficiency. Hotel mobile applications, intelligent building solutions, and streamlined connectivity for interactive guest services are at the forefront for enhancing the guest experience. A comprehensive mobile app allows guests to manage their reservations, check-in and check-out, access room keys, and more. Intelligent buildings provide smart rooms for guest stays by monitoring energy usage and tracking hotel resources in real-time. Implementing IoT (Internet of Things) devices in rooms enables guests to control lighting, temperature, and entertainment systems with voice commands or through mobile apps. All these emerging guest services rely heavily on trusted and proven connectivity. Exceptional Customer Service: The Human Touch While technology plays a crucial role, the human touch remains irreplaceable. Exceptional customer service is the cornerstone of a memorable guest experience, and supporting a skilled workforce that has available tools and training to support guests with high quality customer care is paramount. Hotels invest in continuous training programs for their staff to ensure they are skilled in communication, problem-solving, and predicting guest needs. Empowering employees to make decisions and resolve issues promptly can turn potential negative experiences into positive ones. Technology can also support employee access, training, tools, and communications. In addition, guests enjoy friendly hotel staff and engaging services that meet their needs efficiently and promptly. Knowledgeable staff can turn a mishap or problem into a satisfactory guest experience. Guest Loyalty: Building Long-Term Relationships Loyalty programs are a powerful tool for building long-term relationships with guests. Modernizing these programs to offer more personalized rewards, such as exclusive experiences, early check-ins, and room upgrades, can significantly increase guest satisfaction and loyalty. Hotels are also becoming proactive by pushing offers, incentives, and communications directly to their guests’ phones, email, and apps. Incorporating gamification elements, such as challenges and point systems, can also make loyalty programs more engaging and rewarding. Creating Memorable Experiences: Beyond the Ordinary To compete in this experience-driven environment, hotels must explore new avenues to create unforgettable experiences that guests will love. This could involve offering unique local experiences, such as guided tours, cultural workshops, or exclusive access to local events. Collaborating with local businesses to provide authentic experiences can also enhance the hotel's value proposition and create lasting memories for guests. Enhancing the Mobile Guest The mobile guest is intelligent, does their research, and has clear preferences as to how they review, research, and select hotels. Many are also loyal to specific brands, but most will be driven around safety, comfort, price, location, and amenities. Hotels thrive on how to best differentiate themselves and to remain relevant to guests, while providing the best guest experience. In addition, hotels track key metrics such as ADR (Average Daily Rates), RevPAR (Revenue per Average Room), occupancy rates, and their own internal revenue numbers to track progress and benchmark. This healthy competition requires the use of technology for differentiation and supporting interactive guest experiences. While traditional hard-wired connectivity and Wi-Fi options have served guests for key services, cellular is evolving as the most innovative and cost-effective connectivity solution for a host of solutions, and 5G is the catalyst. Now, let’s dive into key technology trends. Mobile Apps and Digital Check-In/Out Modern hotel apps enable guests to manage their entire stay from their smartphones. Guests begin this journey well before they arrive at the hotel. Guests will gather driving directions and more before they even arrive at the hotel. Cellular connectivity is a primary tool as the guest travels, finds parking, pays for parking, and checks in. Hotel mobile apps allow guests to check-in and check-out, bypass the front desk and avoid waiting times, access digital room keys, use their phones to unlock their rooms, make reservations and requests, book dining-spa services, and communicate with staff. While Wi-Fi may be available, it is often not as reliable or secure for guests. This also means that hotels and parking garages will need to solidify their cellular connectivity both indoor and near indoor their entire hotel properties. Smart Room Technology Hotel rooms equipped with connected equipment and intelligent building systems offer personalized control over various aspects of the room environment. Guests can control and customize preferences around lighting, temperature, and entertainment systems using voice commands. In addition, sustainable conscious guests can manage energy usage, HVAC, and lighting controls with smart energy management systems. Hotels are implementing smart energy systems that know the occupancy of a guest or conference room and adjust lighting and temperatures as needed. Other intelligent building solutions may include air monitoring, UV filtration and cleaning, heated floors, smart access and surveillance, and more. Outside of smartphones connecting to the cellular network, these hotel assets are connecting to the cellular network for real-time tracking, monitoring, and securing. In addition, cellular can further build redundancy in assuring building management systems, hotel equipment, and other assets remain connected and intelligence and critical data is being captured. Virtualization of the Hotel Virtual and augmented reality (VR & AR) are being used to create immersive and engaging experiences. Guests can explore hotel facilities and rooms before booking. AR apps provide interactive maps and guides, enhancing the exploration of hotel premises and surrounding areas. VR can be used to offer unique in-room experiences, such as virtual art displays or interactive storytelling for children. Guest Feedback and Data Analytics Technology aids in collecting and analyzing guest feedback for continuous improvement. Digital feedback tools allow guests to provide immediate feedback during their stay through real-time surveys. Text is also being used to push information to the guest, gather real-time feedback, and provide links for guest surveys. Artificial intelligence (AI and machine learning) can also support the analysis of online reviews and social media mentions to gauge guest satisfaction and identify areas for improvement. Data analytics predict guest preferences and trends, enabling hotels to tailor their services and marketing strategies. There is a growing trend in researching, capturing, analyzing, and predicting guest data for continuous improvement and feedback for hotel managers and property owners. Enhanced In-Room Entertainment Modern entertainment systems cater to diverse guest preferences. The integration of popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime in hotel TVs is common. Guests primarily rely on cellular connectivity to review texts and input codes for secure authentication in logging into streaming apps. Guests also want to connect their own devices and content to the room’s entertainment system. Mobile applications, set up, and login make this process easy for the guest and requires good Wi-Fi or trusted cellular connectivity. This reliability on cellular further illustrates the need to strengthen the cellular signal for seamless connectivity inside and outside the building, from parking garages to the pool to the room. Integrated Booking and Reservation Systems Advanced booking systems simplify the reservation process and enhance convenience. Centralized or a unified hotel and booking platform allows guests to book rooms, dining, spa services, and activities all in one place. An emerging trend is the use of AI for data analytics and intelligence of guest trends and patterns. AI-driven dynamic pricing models offer personalized rates based on demand, loyalty status, and booking patterns. In addition to booking the room, guests are also booking added services including things like pool cabanas, massages/spa services, meeting spaces, etc. Guests will need reliable network connectivity for booking these services wherever they are in the hotel. Security and Privacy Enhancements Technology enhances guest safety and privacy. Biometrics such as facial recognition or fingerprint scanning for secure room access can support more secure access. Advanced surveillance systems are also using AI-powered security to monitor and ensure guest safety. AI can also use computer vision technology to automatically identify key events and alert security or a response. For example, if there is a breach into a back door entry into the hotel, security can be automatically alerted on their smartphone device with location information to quickly respond and prepare for the incident. The Foundation of Cellular Connectivity Cellular connectivity plays a crucial role in enhancing the hotel guest experience in the U.S. Here are several ways it supports and improves the guest experience:
Seamless Connectivity Reliable Communication: Guests rely on cellular networks to stay connected with family, friends, and colleagues. Strong cellular connectivity ensures they can make calls, send texts, and use data services without interruption. Internet Access: Many travelers use their cellular data plans to access the internet, especially if hotel Wi-Fi is slow or unreliable. Guests may also feel Wi-Fi is not safe or secure, as it is on an open network and open to vulnerabilities and hacking. Public Wi-Fi is known to not be as secure as password protected cellular Wi-Fi. Good cellular coverage ensures that guests can always stay connected online. Enhanced Mobile Services Reliable cellular connectivity ensures guests can use hotel mobile apps, navigation/direction tools, mobile check in/out services, and even things like setting up an Uber or ordering food by the pool. These services provide added connectivity without the need to rely solely on Wi-Fi. Some hotels also provide digital room keys that guests can access through their smartphones. Stable cellular connectivity ensures these keys work seamlessly, allowing guests to enter their rooms without issues. Lastly, guests can use hotel apps to request services, make reservations, or ask for information. Consistent cellular service ensures these apps work efficiently anywhere on the property. Improved Navigation and Local Exploration Guests often use GPS and mapping services to explore the local area, find attractions, find parking, or navigate to meetings (inside and outside the hotel or local area). Reliable cellular connectivity ensures accurate location services and navigation. Hotel apps and third-party apps provide local recommendations and reviews, allowing guests to access this information on the go. Meetings and Productivity Travelers work and play from anywhere these days. Many travelers need to work remotely during their stays, conducting meetings and calls from their smartphone. Reliable cellular connectivity ensures they can access emails, take part in video calls, and complete online tasks efficiently. In addition to guests working, hotel staff use their mobile devices for operations as well, especially when coordinating tasks across large properties. Staff can use mobile devices to receive and update the status of maintenance and housekeeping tasks in real time, ensuring rooms are prepared and issues are addressed promptly. Safety and Security Reliable cellular connectivity is essential for guests to contact emergency services if needed or call their family and friends. This is particularly important for guests unfamiliar with the local area. In emergencies or for important updates, hotels can quickly communicate with guests via SMS or push notifications, ensuring they receive prompt information regardless of their location within the hotel. Analyst Recommendations As we evaluate the innovation taking place within the hospitality sector, it is important to follow a few key recommendations to remain relevant and best serve guests in the competitive world of hotels. Compass Intelligence recommendations are centered around infrastructure, technology, and innovating guest services. Whether you are a property manager, a hotel manager, or a resort professional, these recommendations may support you in your overall growth strategy moving forward. Below are a few considerations to consider as you build a solid foundation for innovation in hospitality:
To learn more or if you have questions, please contact Stephanie Atkinson, Compass Intelligence at [email protected]. Wrap Up The leading innovations in hospitality, including automation and smart technologies, require seamless cellular connectivity services. Robust cellular connectivity enhances the overall guest experience by providing uninterrupted communications, supporting mobile services, ensuring safety, enabling efficient operations, and offering personalized engagement. As travelers become increasingly dependent on their mobile devices, the importance of strong cellular connectivity in the hospitality industry will continue to grow. By using these technological advancements, hotels can provide a seamless, personalized, and highly satisfying experience for their guests, setting themselves apart in a competitive industry. Improving the hotel guest experience requires a multifaceted approach that combines personalization, technology integration, exceptional customer service, wellness and sustainability initiatives, enhanced loyalty programs, and a commitment to continuous improvement. By focusing on these strategies, hotels can ensure they not only meet but exceed guest expectations, fostering loyalty and driving long-term success in the competitive hospitality industry. ___________________________ Written by Stephanie Atkinson, CEO of Compass Intelligence About Compass Intelligence Compass Intelligence is a market research and advisory firm specializing in metrics-driven market intelligence and insights for the mobile, IoT, and high-tech industries serving tech clients for more than 18 years. Compass Intelligence offers executive insights, market sizing/forecasting and modeling, competitive analysis, strategic consulting, advisory services, trending analysis, and survey research services. Compass Intelligence helps guide strategic business decisions and supports the success of our clients through delivering content engagement, go to market planning, competitive positioning, and strategic advisory. For more information, please visit https://www.compassintel.com. |
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