Despite low occupancy and high access fees at most full-service properties, guests' Internet usage at U.S. hotels skyrocketed in 2009, according to a new study from iBAHN, the hotel industry's largest Internet service provider.

Released last month, the study found that hotel guests spent 60 percent more time online in 2009 than in 2008. The reason, according to iBAHN: More hotel guests were logging on to the Internet in order to download entertainment content.

In fact, guests downloaded 50 percent more data in 2009 than in 2008, concluded the study, key findings from which include:

• 67 percent of frequent business travelers have downloaded music onto their computers
• 60 percent have downloaded videos
• 54 percent have downloaded news
• 52 percent have downloaded entertainment

"The implication of this trend for hoteliers is profound as it clearly points to the conclusion that the 'free to guest' model of providing free access in all locations of the hotel at all times to all guests is economically unrealistic given guests' differing bandwidth needs," iBAHN said. "Because costs for bandwidth continue to increase exponentially, hoteliers will continue to see higher overall expenses related to their broadband offering, without commensurate benefits in either daily rates or occupancy." This page is protected by Copyright laws. Do Not Copy