Accor Chooses Ruckus as Wi-Fi provider in MENA

AccorHotels has begun implementing Ruckus Smart Wi-Fi products and technology across its hotels in the GCC and Egypt.

Ruckus Smart Wi-Fi network infrastructure will support free and premium Wi-Fi availability across Accor brands including Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, ibis and ibis Styles.

“Ruckus Wireless has become one of AccorHotels’ worldwide standards,” said Jeroen Wisse, IT director, MEA, at AccorHotels.

“We are consistently impressed with the high quality of Ruckus Wireless products, and their user-friendly interface. The commitment and support by the Ruckus team, as well as their accommodating after-sales service has been equally impressive.”

AccorHotels’ collaboration with Ruckus Wireless in the region began a few years ago, with the deployment of Ruckus Smart Wi-Fi networks, initiated a year ago.

To date, AccorHotels has completed deployment of well over 800 Zoneflex access points (APs) within these hotels.

“Ruckus Wireless Smart WiFi technology serves Accor’s needs well,” commented Moe Raslan, regional sales manager, MENA, at Ruckus Wireless.

“In fact, Ruckus is widely recognised across AccorHotels’ global chain of hotels, not just in the Middle East and Africa.

“To hold the top position as a preferred vendor for AccorHotels’ wireless networking needs speaks volumes about the performance, reliability, and quality of our products that are leading networking technology for the hospitality industry”

Ruckus has kick-started the industry’s first in-room wireless system to interconnect multiple guest applications over a single in-room access point, which also provides multi-function wired service.

This provides secure connectivity for a wireless room ambiance and enhanced overall guest experience.

During the implementation, AccorHotels required fewer APs to be installed by Ruckus while covering the same physical area as the former systems they replaced, with no loss in performance, reliability or capacity.

With Ruckus Smart Wi-Fi equipped properties, AccorHotels now offers the following in-room services:

• Dual radio connections (2.4GHz and 5GHz) to guest wireless devices;
• Wired guest access that maintains uncompromised Admin LAN security;
• Connecting VoIP devices inside the room through Power over Ethernet (PoE) via Ruckus ZoneFlex APs;
• Connecting IPTV clients (Smart TVs or STB) to the AP, minimising unsightly cables
• IP-capable minibar and in-room entertainment systems.

“In the past, the system we used did not provide us with a reliable infrastructure or high performance,” said Wisse.

“This has completely changed after our deployment of Ruckus Smart WiFi. Ruckus products are not only of first-rate quality, they offer really great value for money. We are glad to say we have multiple new projects in the pipeline across the region with Ruckus Wireless.”

Earlier this year, Hotelier Middle East spoke to Vivek Badrinath, deputy CEO AccorHotels about the operator's recently announced US $250 million five-year digital transformation project.