MGM Resorts Unveil New Free Wi-Fi

Bellagio Las Vegas, one of the MGM Resorts featuring updated free Wi-Fi to guests.
Photo: MGM Resorts International

This week, Las Vegas has been host once again to the world’s largest Conumer Eletronics Show (#CES) and MGM Resorts took advantage to the opportunity to announce their Free Wi-Fi! Of course, they already offered free Wi-Fi in some locations just as many hotels do. This new system, though, seriously ups the ante in true Las Vegas style. According to MGM and Cisco, their IT partner in this endeavor, the newly unveiled system is the best in the world. How good? They promise connectivity to as many as 120,000 users (at the same time!) with speeds up to 30% faster than their older system.

The Wi-Fi rollout actually began at the end of 2012 at Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. Users can connect fee- and password-free on laptops, tablets and smartphones in public spaces such as pools, casinos, lobbies and restaurants. Additional Las Vegas resorts, Monte Carlo, New York-New York, Luxor and Excalibur, will install Wi-Fi in 2013. Meanwhile, guest room access has begun at MGM Grand, with completion expected in March 2013; installation for Mandalay Bay is scheduled next, and other resorts will follow.

For convention groups, the system offers new user-friendly capabilities providing greater control and timely dissemination of information. Additional Wi-Fi features include location-based services, so attendees can understand where they are and how to get to their next session or booth. With higher bandwidth available to groups, presentations can be quickly downloaded and streaming video presentations can be uploaded. All these new capabilities allow groups the flexibility they need to create the event they want, and sponsor and advertising placements within the custom network are an option for those wanting to offset event costs or provide clients with marketing opportunities.