Thai-Fi Takes Smart Wi-Fi to New Levels within Hotels and Multi-Dwelling Units in Bangkok

When trying to outfit several high rise hotels and expatriate residence properties in Bangkok with 802.11 Wi-Fi, Thai-Fi had two choices: low end consumer-grade products or high end enterprise-class systems. However neither of these choices solved their problem.

Thai-Fi, a wireless networking operator headquartered in Bangkok, had several large-scale Wi-Fi projects. These projects required deploying a low-cost, high value Wi-Fi system that could reliably support multimedia, be remotely manageable and extend the range of Wi-Fi coverage – at little or no disruption to guests. The properties included the Siri Sathorn, a 120-room, 19-story serviced residence, the Sukhothai, a 280-unit, four-story hotel and the Fraser Suites Urbana Sathorn, a 250-unit, 35-story residential building.

“The expectation by users for reliable Wi-Fi connections anywhere they go for every type of content imaginable is driving profound changes in the hot spot market and hospitality industry.”

“We found the Ruckus Smart Wi-Fi system to fill a huge gap between featureless consumer-grade Wi-Fi APs and expensive enterprise systems - neither of which can support realtime streaming multimedia”

Carl Rubin
Co-Founder and Business Director
Thai-Fi

These properties all had thick concrete walls and metal construction. Additionally, the multi-dwelling unit configuration and building density in the area caused serious interference problems. As a green-field project, Thai- Fi needed to construct a Wi-Fi network that could function as a reliable utility within these properties, providing exceptional coverage, signal stability and the ability to support multiple services, virtual networks and user groups.

“We needed to architect a Wi-Fi system that first and foremost delivered stable connectivity but also could support emerging multimedia applications such as IP-based video on demand and voice,” said Jacob Robfogel, Thai-Fi’s chief technical officer. “What we found was a gaping hole in the market between consumer products and enterprise systems, neither of which ensured stable Wi-Fi signals or supported real-time streaming multimedia.”

Another key requirement was the ability to have multiple SSIDs per AP with VLANs mapping to each SSID. Each SSID would support a discrete set of users or applications with security and QoS parameters specifically designated for that SSID. This would allow tiered services to be offered and remotely managed. Internal operations, for instance, would have their own hidden SSID with TKIP encryption and pre-shared keys. Meanwhile the same wireless infrastructure with different SSIDs could be used to provide free public access or premium services, such as IP-based video or higher bandwidth access. “We wanted to be able to leverage the wireless network to upsell optional value-added services and easily segment user groups as needed,” said Robfogel.

Thai-Fi initially examined consumer-grade Wi-Fi products as well as high end centralized wireless systems. Thai-Fi quickly discovered that low-end products, while inexpensive, didn’t provide enough robust features, such as remote management, multiple SSIDs or extended range, to be useful. “Because the RF environment is extremely challenging given the building materials and configuration of the properties, our trials with consumer APs revealed that we had to deploy one AP for every two rooms,” said Robfogel. “This, along with the lack of any management or value-added features, quickly became a non-starter for us.”

Thai-Fi also evaluated enterprise WLAN systems. These systems, however, were too expensive and came with features and functions, such as integrated per-user firewalls, that were unnecessary for a hospitality deployment. “The enterprise systems were simply overkill, too complex and still didn’t address the signal stability and interference issues we needed to solve,” said Robfogel.

Smart Wi-Fi Answers the Call

To solve these problems, Thai-Fi turned to Smart Wi-Fi technology from Ruckus Wireless. With the Ruckus MediaFlex HS system, Thai-Fi was able to deploy one-third fewer access points throughout its hotels, increase the stability of the Wi-Fi signals and mitigate RF interference.

Instead of one AP for every two rooms, Thai-Fi was able to deploy one Ruckus MediaFlex HS for every six rooms. Ruckus MediaFlex HS APs connect to L2/L3 gigabit switches on every floor, each of are aggregated into a core switch and router.

“One of the things that attracted us to the Ruckus Smart Wi-Fi hotspot system was how it brought advanced functions such as extended coverage, quality of service, remote management and tiered services – all at an affordable price point,” said Robfogel.

The Ruckus MediaFlex HS system was specifically developed for high-density environments requiring consistent performance and strong, reliable signal propagation. With the Ruckus MediaFlex HS, Thai-Fi has seen fewer support calls due to poor performance or interference. Because the Ruckus MediaFlex HS integrates a software-controlled smart antenna array, Thai-Fi has a Wi-Fi system that automatically rejects interference and dynamically steers Wi-Fi signals as interference occurs. According to Thai-Fi, because Wi-Fi signals are now focused and directed, they can penetrate obstacles better - allowing coverage for hard to reach areas or deadspots.

Additionally, Thai-Fi is now able to use the Ruckus MediaFlex system in their four-star properties to provide tiered services. Up to four discrete SSIDs, each with its own set of parameters, can be configured to support a different applications or set of users.

“Ultimately the Ruckus Smart Wi-Fi system has allowed us to overcome all the coverage, management , performance and interference problems,” said Robfogel. “There simply was no other Wi-Fi choice on the market that was purposebuilt for the hospitality market.”

Company Overview

Headquartered in Bankok,Thailand, Thai-Fi is a wireless networking company founded in 2003. It owns and operates some of the largest builidingwide Wi-Fi networks in the region.

Requirements

• Obtain good Wi-Fi coverage throughout several high rise hotels
• Implement Wi-Fi solution that ensures no guest disturbance
• Minimize the number of access points
• Mitigate interference
• Support emerging applications such as IP-based video
• Remote systems and RF management
• Multiple SSIDs each with different profiles for different user groups
• Low-cost solution

Solution

Ruckus Wireless MediaFlex HS System

Benefits

• Doubled the range of Wi-Fi signals
• Reduced by one-third the number of APs required
• Increased signal penetration
• Provided the ability to automatically avoid interference
• Provided the ability to support different user groups using multiple SSIDs each with discrete policies
• Reduced capital costs
• Triple-play ready infrastructure