Seamless Wi-Fi on the Seven Seas:

ANTlabs Powers Elcome and Starlink Partnership

The maritime industry has long struggled with delivering reliable, high-speed internet at sea. In an era where staying connected is vital for quality of life at sea, Elcome International, a leading maritime systems integrator, partnered with SpaceX’s Starlink to offer a revolutionary satellite broadband service. At the core of this solution is ANTlabs’ SG5 Gateway and ASP Cloud Wi-Fi Services Management platform, enabling seamless connectivity and advanced bandwidth controls that are powerful and flexible for maritime vessels worldwide.

The Challenge

Providing internet connectivity at sea has traditionally been an expensive and limited endeavor. Maritime operators faced challenges such as:

• High Costs: Legacy systems imposed high fees on operators and users, restricting widespread access.
• Limited User Control: Absence of robust tools for bandwidth management, prepaid systems, or volume tracking caused inefficiencies.
• Poor User Experience: Frequent connectivity interruptions and lack of roaming capabilities frustrated users.
• Fragmented Solutions: With various Wi-Fi vendors providing access points across fleets, operators needed a unified platform capable of integrating diverse systems seamlessly.

To address these, Elcome required a robust backend solution that could pair with Starlink’s low-latency satellite service. ANTlabs delivered the critical components to make this a reality.

The Solution: ANTlabs’ Role

Elcome launched its groundbreaking “WELCOME” internet service in mid-2024, powered by Starlink’s satellite technology and ANTlabs’ Wi-Fi Services infrastructure. Officially unveiled during a press release in Dubai, the service represents a milestone for maritime connectivity with availability in all international waters and territorial waters of 70 countries. The service boasts bandwidth of up to 350 Mbps and average latency below 99ms.

ANTlabs’ Contributions

1. SG5 Gateways: High-performance gateway devices connecting onboard users to the Starlink satellite network. Robust security and seamless integration with Elcome’s maritime systems.
2. ASP Wi-Fi Services Management Platform:

• Prepaid Internet Plans: Enables users to purchase data bundles or subscriptions at prices starting from $3, ensuring cost-effective access.
• Efficient Volume Tracking and Analytics: Operators and users alike benefit from data updates every minute, ensuring near real-time monitoring
• Roaming Capabilities: Users can retain their data plans when switching vessels.
• Payment Gateway Integration: Offers seamless online payment options.  Multiple payment options make access simple and stress-free, including seamless Stripe payment integration to ensure safe and secure transactions at sea.

What sets ANTlabs apart is its unique combination of deep R&D expertise and proven leadership in delivering connectivity solutions for hospitality and telecommunications industries. With over two decades of innovation, ANTlabs has been a trusted partner for hotel groups, Telcos, and ISPs, delivering scalable, user-centric solutions that set industry standards. Applying this extensive experience to the maritime sector has enabled ANTlabs to solve complex connectivity challenges with unmatched reliability and flexibility.

These solutions form the backbone of WELCOME’s service delivery, providing connectivity to over 1,500 vessels by late 2024, with plans for thousands more in 2025.

Impact and Results

Since its launch, WELCOME has significantly improved the quality of internet access for crew members at sea:

• Enhanced Crew Welfare: Crew members enjoy consistent, high-speed connectivity to stay in touch with family, access entertainment, and participate in online learning.
• Roaming Benefits: With WELCOME, crew members can use the data they purchase on one WELCOME-equipped vessel on another, ensuring seamless connectivity as they move between ships.
• Collaborative Opportunities: Elcome plans to partner with content and service providers to extend the reach of their products via WELCOME, further enriching the crew’s experience.

Voices from the Frontline

“We are excited to introduce WELCOME, a game-changing maritime internet service that will revolutionize how ships and offshore installations stay connected at sea.” – Asneed Ameer, Senior Manager Connectivity at Elcome (Elcome International).

Key Features at a glance

• High-Speed Internet: With bandwidth of up to 350 Mbps and average latency below 99ms, the WELCOME service ensures efficient communication and data transfer at sea.
• Flexible Payment Options: Affordable and customizable prepaid plans starting at $3 cater to diverse user needs.
• Roaming Across Vessels: Seamless connectivity for crew members who frequently change ships, ensuring they stay connected as they move.
• Global Coverage: The service is available in all international waters and the territorial waters of over 70 countries.
• Enhanced Crew Experience: Partnerships with content and service providers will offer additional benefits, extending access to entertainment, education, and more.
• Vendor Agnostic: Seamlessly integrates with diverse Wi-Fi access solutions, enabling broad scalability across fleets.

Conclusion

ANTlabs is proud to have provided the technological foundation behind Elcome’s WELCOME service, combining advanced satellite capabilities with user-centric features. By enabling high-speed internet access, cost-effective prepaid models, and real-time management tools, ANTlabs empowers Elcome to redefine personal connectivity at sea. As the rollout continues across thousands of vessels, ANTlabs remains committed to driving innovation and supporting the maritime industry’s digital transformation. With unmatched R&D capabilities and a proven track record of solving connectivity challenges, ANTlabs stands as the technology leader uniquely equipped to deliver global-scale solutions that enhance the onboard experience for crew and passengers alike.

Full disclosure: This article was written with a little help from AI—think of it as having Lt. Data from the Starship Enterprise assist with the writing. Seamless, precise, and a bit futuristic—just like the Wi-Fi we’re rolling out across the Seven Seas!

Musings of a Discerning (and Nerdy) Traveller:

How Breakfast Reminds Me of Hotel Wi-Fi

Okay, hear me out: As a self-proclaimed hotel tech nerd (occupational hazard, I know) who travels a lot, I’ve developed a particular appreciation for the details that turn a routine stay into something exceptional. Crisp satin sheets—Madonna was onto something there—paired with a pillow menu for neck support, refillable Nespresso capsules at the ready, and a “fix it in 20 minutes” attitude that keeps everything running smoothly. While most guests might swoon over skyline views or sip on a crisp, easy-drinking Prosecco, my inner geek is drawn to something else entirely.

I see guest experiences like breakfast buffets through a distinctly geeky lens—think user authentication, QoS, and integrated PMS databases. If that sounds strange, well, you’ve clearly never compared your Eggs Royale to retrieving elite status membership from the PMS. Let’s fix that.

Picture this scenario: It’s early morning, and I head down to the hotel’s breakfast buffet, looking forward to a decent meal before a day packed with meetings and emails. At the entrance stands a grinning trainee-of-the-day. She’s holding a clipboard and chirps, “Good morning, Sir. Room number, please?”

Under my breath, I mutter, “Ah… a cheap or no HSIA gateway,” referring to High-Speed Internet Access—just as an online gateway checks your credentials before granting you web access, this trainee is essentially a human “portal” controlling my entry to breakfast. I provide my room number (like inputting a username), she checks a printout (a low-tech guest database), ticks a box (permission granted), and waves me in.

Doesn’t even authenticate my credentials,” I grumble quietly. Simple enough, sure, but still something’s missing.

But as I navigate the buffet stations, I realize there’s indeed something missing—no recognition that it’s my 20th stay at the hotel, no personalized greeting, no sense that I’m anything more than “Room Number X.” Don’t get me wrong, I’m not expecting a VIP trumpet fanfare, but it’s a bit like having to log into a captive portal every single morning. I have “access” to the service (breakfast), but no memory of who I am, no saved settings, and no elite-user bandwidth. It’s just a one-size-fits-all login that grants me entry but offers none of the personalization I’ve earned. I’m being treated the same as a one-time tourist from the tour group that just arrived last night. I might be tempted to quote my neighbor’s room number next time, just to test the system. 😉

Now, let’s fast-forward to the next day. The trainee calls in sick. This time, the duty manager is at the entrance—think of this as an upgraded HSIA gateway, one that’s integrated with the property management system (PMS) and loyalty database. The moment I show up, I get a warm, “Welcome back! Glad to see you again.” Suddenly, I’m not just a room number. “Ah-ha! This is a better HSIA gateway with auto-relogin and seamless PMS integration. Facial recognition too?” I muse. It’s as if the network has recognized my device and credentials from yesterday, automatically granting me higher QoS (Quality of Service) and remembering that I’m a returning “user” with premium privileges. No re-entering details, no guessing who I am—just seamless, automated recognition.

Let’s take it a step further. Later in the week, with 95% occupancy—it’s all hands on deck—and the Executive Lounge Supervisor steps in to help at breakfast. She spots me and says, “Hi, Mr. Ang. Not breakfast in the Lounge today? Missing your Eggs Royale, I presume?” I grin, “Well, I felt like exploring the main buffet’s selections and indulging in some carbs at the noodle station today.” Without missing a beat, she offers to have the Lounge chef whip up my usual—extra hollandaise, extra smoked salmon, no muffin Eggs Benedict—still respecting my low-carb preferences. “We’ll have them sent down in about 10 minutes,” she says, ensuring that I can enjoy my favorite dish here in the main restaurant. “Ah, they are using our ANTlabs HSIA gateway with the Guest Experience platform,” I noted with glee, maintaining my composure. It’s as if this “intelligent system” (the hotel’s integrated IT infrastructure and loyalty membership database) has cached my preferences, dietary quirks, and past orders. Every staff member is effectively connected to the same central “profile server,” no matter their department or role. No re-authentication, no awkward “Actually, I’m a Diamond member” explanations. Instead, the experience flows smoothly, like a well-orchestrated suite of backend services instantly retrieving my data and applying it wherever I log in.

Of course, not every property can count on having a seasoned lounge supervisor at every breakfast shift, and with inevitable staff turnover, ensuring that even a new trainee can access a guest’s profile on demand is priceless.  But with the right IT system, you can empower any team member to be instantly “brought up to speed,” replicating that personal touch and guest familiarity no matter who’s on duty.

Before you think I’m stretching the analogy too far, hear me out again: Surveys consistently show that breakfast and Wi-Fi are among the most important factors for travelers. If the hotel let anyone walk into the breakfast buffet unchecked, they’d run out of premium fare in no time, turning a special perk into a chaotic free-for-all. Likewise, if Wi-Fi were open to the entire neighborhood, legitimate guests would struggle with sluggish speeds. Authentication, integration with loyalty programs, and differentiated service ensure that the right people enjoy the right benefits—maintaining quality and exclusivity for those who matter most.

Here’s another thought: I spend maybe 30 to 45 minutes at the breakfast buffet, but I’m glued to my laptop or phone for hours each evening—working, streaming, and video-calling loved ones. My engagement with Wi-Fi far exceeds my time at the buffet, so shouldn’t the quality of connectivity command at least as much attention (and budget) as breakfast?

In fact, it may cost less to provide quality Wi-Fi and personalized digital services for an entire year than what the breakfast operation spends on gourmet coffee beans and teas in a single month. When you break it down, the investment in IT infrastructure, loyalty integration, and personalized service is not just a hospitality nicety—it’s a strategic, cost-effective move that pays off in loyalty, satisfaction, and glowing word-of-mouth.

If I know I’m getting a carefully curated experience all around, I’m not going to ditch this hotel for a modest discount elsewhere. I’ll happily remain a loyal guest, indulging in Eggs Royale one day and working over blazing-fast Wi-Fi the next—because both the culinary and the digital experiences are tailored just for me.

Full disclosure: I used AI to help fine-tune my ideas and even generate the accompanying image. But rest assured, the Eggs Royale scenario—and the way I savor them—are 100% my own invention. The geeky analogies linking breakfast buffets and Wi-Fi were mine as well. No AI yet can replicate my low-carb preferences or extra hollandaise indulgences!

#Hospitality #HotelTech #GuestExperience #LoyaltyPrograms #DigitalTransformation #HSIA #HotelWi-Fi #ANTlabsHospitality

Unlocking Hotel IT: A Game-Changer for Guest Experience

The Luxury Paradox: Why IT Often Falls Behind

As a frequent business traveler, I’ve had the privilege of staying in some of the most luxurious hotels across the globe. Each time I walk into a hotel room, I’m greeted by a meticulously designed space where every detail—from the plush bed to the invigorating shower—exceeds the comforts of home. The room service is impeccable, and the guest services are always a phone call away, ready to cater to my every need. And while we’re talking about impressive service, let’s not forget that a plumber and aircon repair person on call 24/7 and arriving within 15-20 minutes is nothing short of amazing! It’s the epitome of luxury, and yet, there’s one aspect that consistently falls short: the IT infrastructure.

Despite the lavish amenities, the IT experience in most hotels is often lackluster compared to what I have at home. Think about it: I enjoy a blazing 10Gbps FTTH connection at home, secure access to my Wi-Fi 7 router, and seamless casting to my big-screen TV. In contrast, hotel Wi-Fi is often slow, inconsistent, and requires re-authentication (depending on which HSIA solution). Casting content from my phone to the hotel TV, if possible, is usually a frustrating process involving outdated technology.

The TikTok Generation’s Expectations: More Than Meets the Wi-Fi 😉

For today’s travelers, especially the Gen Zs and the TikTok generation, this disparity is more than just an inconvenience—it’s a deal-breaker. This demographic has grown up with technology as an integral part of their lives, and their expectations are sky-high. They’re not just looking for a place to sleep; they want an experience that complements their digitally connected lifestyle. If a hotel can’t provide that, they’ll quickly turn to one that can.

Bridging the Gap: Integrating Loyalty Programs with IT

Moreover, there’s another critical aspect that many hotels overlook: the integration of IT infrastructure with loyalty programs. In an industry known for high turnover and fierce competition for manpower, it’s all too common for guest preferences to be overlooked or for elite status to go unrecognized. While long-serving staff members might remember returning guests and their preferences, a new intern or less experienced staff member often lacks the knowledge or empowerment to provide the personalized service elite members expect. This can lead to frustrating experiences where the frequent traveler feels undervalued and their requests mishandled.

By integrating loyalty program databases with the hotel’s IT services, hotels can ensure that a guest’s preferences and status are immediately recognized, no matter who is attending to them. Imagine walking into your room to find a QR code for ordering room service (with elite status discounts applied) or submitting service requests via an app or web portal that auto-fills your preferences from the last stay, making it easy to get what you need without picking up the phone.

Small Investments, Big Impact: The Case for IT Upgrades

Here’s a perspective that may surprise you: the investment required to upgrade IT infrastructure is often a fraction of what hotels spend on other luxury amenities. For instance, the cost of implementing a high-speed Wi-Fi network with modern digital service solutions might be comparable to, or even less than, the annual expenditure on premium coffee beans for the hotel’s restaurant or the routine deep cleaning of carpets. These investments in IT not only enhance guest satisfaction but also offer long-term value that can significantly boost a hotel’s reputation and guest loyalty.

In an era where physical luxury is becoming increasingly standardized across brands, the next frontier of competition lies in the digital experience. And this is where IT infrastructure comes into play.

Future-Proofing Hospitality: Embracing IT for Long-Term Success

This is where companies like ANTlabs come in. As a leader in providing cutting-edge solutions for the hospitality industry, ANTlabs understands the critical role that robust IT infrastructure plays in enhancing the guest experience. From high-speed internet access to seamless TV casting and integrating digital service requests via QR codes and apps with the loyalty membership system and property management system, ANTlabs offers a suite of hospitality solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s tech-savvy travelers.

Imagine a hotel where the Wi-Fi is as fast and reliable as what guests have at home, where they can easily cast their favorite shows from their devices to the in-room TV with just a tap, and where QR codes enable quick ordering of room service or submission of service requests. Such features might seem like small incremental upgrades, but they can significantly enhance the guest experience, making their stay not just comfortable, but memorable.

Conclusion

Investing in robust IT infrastructure is no longer optional; it’s essential. Hotels that recognize this and take proactive steps to upgrade their technology will not only meet but exceed the expectations of their tech-savvy guests. They’ll create an environment where the digital experience matches—or even surpasses—the luxury of the physical space.

For the hospitality industry, this is an opportunity to differentiate in a highly competitive market. By prioritizing IT infrastructure, hotels can ensure that their guests feel as connected and comfortable as they do at home, if not more so. This isn’t just about keeping up with the times—it’s about staying ahead of the curve and setting new standards for what it means to offer a truly exceptional stay.

As we move forward, the hotels that invest in their IT infrastructure and integrate it with their loyalty programs will be the ones that win the loyalty of the next generation of travelers. And in a world where guest satisfaction is the ultimate measure of success, this is an investment that will pay off in more ways than one.

End Credits:

In the spirit of full transparency—and because honesty is always the best policy—I’d like to thank my AI co-author for its tireless work on this article. While I was busy sipping hotel room coffee and reminiscing about my latest travels, my AI sidekick was feverishly ensuring my grammar was flawless, my arguments were sharp, and my puns were (mostly) on point.

Yes, you heard that right—this article was brought to life with a little help from AI. But don’t worry, no robots were harmed (or overworked) in the making of this post. Just a digital assistant doing its part to help me sound smarter and save time. If you think this article was a tad bit longer than necessary, well, that’s because it’s my style and I’ve edited the drafts just the way I like it. Again, a demonstration that technology should be used to make things work easier for me and you.

So, the next time you’re enjoying seamless Wi-Fi or using a QR code to order room service in a hotel room, just remember: technology is here to make everything better, even blog posts. And if my AI co-author keeps this up, it might just ask for a raise—or at least a coffee break.

Revolutionizing Hospitality Technology: The Impact of Digital Onboarding for Competitive Advantage

Introduction

I had an interesting observation before a recent business trip. It struck me that when I step into a hotel room, every facet of hospitality surpasses the comforts of my own home. There’s 24-hour room service, daily housekeeping, and even the swift arrival of an aircon technician if needed. It’s a haven of comfort, luxury, and convenience.

On the other hand, every aspect of the hotel network will pale in comparison to what I enjoy at home without fail, even in the most luxurious suites. In my humble abode, I revel in a dedicated broadband connection or Fiber to the Home (FTTH) link that boasts speeds of 1 or even 2 Gbps. My home Wi-Fi connection is secure, and I can upgrade the router every 2 to 3 years. I have a second large LED monitor for my laptop to work on. Streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube keep me entertained and snacking late at night. A Covid-era colour inkjet printer is on standby.

So, why can’t we have the best of both worlds in a hotel room? With Digital Onboarding and a secure Wi-Fi profile, we could seamlessly connect to the hotel network. Likewise, having the capability to cast my content to the room TV securely would enable me to utilize my personal subscriptions for the latest episodes or stream my favourite Spotify and YouTube tunes. I can even request for housekeeping and room service online. Picture it: ordering room service, sipping on drinks, and indulging in the latest episodes in the lap of luxury.

The bar for hospitality is set so high in a luxury hotel that as an everyday consumer I cannot surpass it, and yet I easily outspend the hotel on consumer tech which surely is a minimal percentage a large hotel spends on coffee beans a month. From such a low base, the returns from an incremental investment in digital services far outstrip the increment returns to upgrade the already high hospitality aspect.

If we could indeed merge exceptional hospitality with efficient technology, wouldn’t that be a game-changer for the post-COVID era and the tech-savvy TikTok generation?

ANTlabs and Our Journey

Welcome to the future of hospitality, where technology meets exceptional guest experiences. At ANTlabs, we envision a transformative path that leverages Digital Onboarding to redefine how hotels engage with their guests and deliver digital services to deepen guest engagement and customer loyalty. In this blog, we embark on our journey through the Hospitality 2.0 Pyramid. This is a strategic framework, where the key to success lies in seamlessly integrating technology and hospitality, unlocking competitive advantage.

ANTlabs Hospitality 2.0 Pyramid

ANTlabs has over two decades of expertise in hospitality, collaborating with Telcos and service providers. Our technology, including internet gateways and Cloud Wi-Fi management platforms, has powered guest Wi-Fi solutions worldwide. Notably, our networking solutions played a vital role in facilitating connectivity during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, arguably the world’s largest hospitality event in recent history.

We use the Hospitality 2.0 Pyramid to systematically deconstruct the guest’s digital journey across diverse sectors, encompassing hotels, airports, stadiums, and F&B retail. At its core lies Digital Onboarding, the cornerstone upon which exceptional guest experiences are constructed.

Digital Onboarding: The Foundation for Excellence

Digital Onboarding, a seamless guest registration process, extends beyond mere Wi-Fi connectivity. It encompasses an array of user-friendly steps, including app downloads and enticing incentives for loyalty program enrollment, setting the stage for an unforgettable stay.

User Identification: A Crucial Step

Moving up the pyramid, User Identification is a pivotal phase where the recognition of users on the network takes center stage. The absence of authenticated user devices destroys the capacity to provide personalized and distinctive services.

User Recognition allows the network to associate a guest’s identity and elite member status, allowing for personalization while ensuring privacy. This is achieved via integration through the PMS interface, loyalty program databases, identity management solutions, or a combination of the above.

User Engagement: Elevating the Experience

In the middle of the pyramid, User Engagement comes into play where personalized interactions through digital services and apps enhance guest convenience and overall satisfaction.  For example, the use of AI Chatbots or just simple messaging maintains a high-tech, high-touch hospitality experience, in the absence of a trained and experienced guest relations officer.  As a returning customer, I am always vexed by talking with interns or inexperienced operators who don’t understand what I want.  In a previous stay, I didn’t have the same issue.  The use of technology can mitigate the global hospitality staff shortage and maintain a high level of guest relations.

Provision of Digital Services: Enriching the Journey with Digital Onboarding

At the pyramid’s peak lies the Provision of Digital Services. Here, the focus shifts to crafting tailored offerings and streamlining service requests and delivery, resulting in a memorable guest experience.   For example, elite status members may be entitled to premium Wi-Fi speeds, allocated public IP addresses, enjoy secured Wi-Fi connectivity, and even web filtering services on the hotel Wi-Fi network for better security.  Other services can include casting user content like NetFlix to the in-room large-screen TV, seamless access to chatbots for service requests, and many more.

The Power of Seamless Onboarding: Increasing Loyalty Program and App Adoption

This logical diagram visually illustrates how the onboarding process can increase loyalty program sign-ups and app downloads. Through Digital Onboarding, a Passpoint or Hotspot 2.0 compatible Wi-Fi profile can be effortlessly stored on the guest’s device, guaranteeing seamless login and roaming privileges within the hotel group.

Guests should be incentivized to download and install the hotel app, accept the Wi-Fi profile, and participate in the loyalty program. This strategic approach maximizes guest engagement and lays the foundation for comprehensive digital service delivery.

Merging Hospitality with Technology

The anecdote that started our journey highlights a crucial point: we deserve the best of both worlds, especially in a mid-scale to luxury hotel room. By harmonizing exceptional hospitality with efficient technology, hotels can gain a competitive edge in the post-COVID era and appeal to the tech-savvy TikTok generation.

Conclusion: Aligning Hospitality with Technology

In conclusion, the guest’s journey through the Hospitality 2.0 Pyramid encompasses onboarding, user identification, engagement, and personalized digital services. This alignment of exceptional hospitality with technology will help discerning hotels differentiate themselves in a highly competitive market.

Without Digital Onboarding and User Recognition, meaningful guest engagement is not possible. It’s akin to losing the front desk manager who recognizes your most loyal guests.  A new desk staff will greet and treat every customer the same, and guess what? Over time, your guests will also treat you just like any other hotel – without loyalty!

With Digital Onboarding, connectivity becomes seamless, and recognition instantaneous, ensuring that guests receive the elevated service they deserve.  Seamless connectivity and instant recognition can also be extended across all properties within the same hotel group or loyalty program.

And with that, we conclude our exploration of the future of hospitality technology. We trust that you’ve found these insights valuable as we navigate the dynamic intersection of hospitality and technology.