10 CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW
■The system provides fast Internet connectivity and fast corporate
access to end-users.
Benefits The Visitor and Community Network system provides the following
benefits:
■Use existing wiring for simultaneous voice calls and data connections
without the need for re-wiring. The system enables a customer to use
a telephone extension to place calls while sending and receiving digital
data over the same cable. A second extension over the same
telephone cable can be used to place another call, send faxes, or
connect an analog modem.
The customer receives Internet services more conveniently at faster
speeds. Hotel guests traveling on business can access corporate
Intranets and use e-mail over much more convenient connections than
is currently possible.
The system allows a hotel to provide new data communication
services without forfeiting any POTS revenues.
■The system’s ready-to-use, out-of-the-box installation provides easy
and cost-effective setup. Its non-disruptive installation avoids
complete hotel and floor shut downs.
■The system is totally manageable and provides real-time status with
troubleshooting tools. Both the VCN AP and VCN AC support local
management through a terminal emulating computer connection. A
Telnet connection in the Internet or Intranet, supports secure remote
management of the VCN AC in addition to software dow nload.
■The system presents a low cost of ownership while providing
customers with mutiple services over a single wire, and providing
operators of hotels, residential telecommunications, and office towers
a single manageable network. Its low cost derives from the re-use of
common cabling systems, such as Category 5. It offers low cost
maintenance and flexible tracking capabilities and is readily integrated
with existing hotel and multiple dwelling unit (MDU) billing systems.
■The Visitor and Community Network system provides a foundation for
future services such as IP telephony. The system offers the capability to
present local advertising and local interest information from a Visitor
and Community Network (VCN) server to users on their computer
monitors. Via a VCN server, Internet, video on demand, and gaming
services can be billed.
The system is easily expanded to cover the required number of rooms.