N+I: Nortel checks in to VBN

LAS VEGAS--Nortel Networks announced at Networld+Interop what it's calling a Visitor-Based Networking (VBN) solution, specifically for hotels and convention centers, that combines wireline and wireless connectivity.

Additionally, the company said Mandalay Bay has deployed the system in its five properties in Las Vegas. Those properties will be linked together via an optical Ethernet service from Sprint, which provides local service in Las Vegas.

Designed to build off the in-room high-speed access that many hotels currently offer, the platform is designed to move IT from a cost center to a profit center.

“The profitability of [in-room] services is not exciting,” said Matthew Marnik, director of marketing for Next Generation Solutions for Nortel. “Typically the real incentive to offer these services are competitive advantage or actually just table stakes more recently. [VBN] is going to enable facility wide access and not just in rooms, in convention centers or in hot spots.”

More important, the platform allows those running hotels and convention centers to generate additional revenue through advertising sales and promotion of paid services on the initial log-in page.

“What is really underused in the [opening] screen is that you have a captive audience,” said Marnik. “Especially in a convention center, I’m sure there are many exhibitors who would like to advertise.”

From an architectural perspective, the platform combines bring together Nortel Networks Shasta 5000 Broadband Service Node and a Passport 8600 Routing Switch with various access points.

Nortel has run various business models for hotels and convention centers that show a payback of 13 months, assuming the property already has some of the basic infrastructure. In Manadalay Bay’s case, the payback will be closer to 6 months, said Marnik.