About HOTEL PHONE APP ™

Push button phones are part of multi-line telephone systems(MLTS) that use PBX or VOIP technology to connect guests with hotel services. The technologies are old: PBX developed in the 1930's, push button phones in the 1960's, and VOIP in the 1970's, all well before cell phone technology became widespread in the 2000's.

Guests use their cell phones rather than guest room phones to make local and long distance calls and to receive messages. The proliferation of travel apps allows guests to book future hotel stays and request ride share, food delivery, and other services.

Hotels connect with employees using hotel management system(HMS) software. Older hotels connect using employee push button phones. Modern hotels connect using apps on employee cell phones. HOTEL PHONE APP ™ is a separate phone communication system for guests, allowing hotels to maintain existing HMS and employee phone systems.

Two recent Emergency 911 laws have impacted the hotel industry. Kari's law requires all hotel MLTS phone systems to have direct dialing capability. Guest cell phones are not part of the hotel MLTS phone systems. Also, guest cell phones already have direct dial Emergency 911 capability. The Ray Baum Act requires Emergency 911 location services on all phone systems. Guest cell phones have location services built into their software.

I visited many small and large hotels to inspect guest rooms and speak with managers and employees. I was surprised to find that while some large hotel companies are updating their push button phone systems many other hotels are not. Guest room push button phones come in all shapes, sizes and colors, and may be up to 20-30 years old. Newer replacement phones look and function similar to models built decades ago. Hotel managers at independent or franchise hotels are hesitant to upgrade guest room phones due to cost and decreased guest usage.

The time seems right for hotel companies to investigate alternatives to guest room push button phones. Hotel management systems and business functions are moving to the internet(VOIP) and employee cell phones. HOTEL PHONE APP ™ can be deployed in phases starting with one hotel and a portion of guest rooms. Free trials are available. Hotels can maintain guest room PBX/VOIP service during free trial periods and determine later if they want to purchase subscriptions. Hotels would then determine when to deactivate guest push button phone service.

Doug Killion

Hotel Phone App, LLC

Long Beach, CA

The idea for HOTEL PHONE APP began while checking out of a small motel. I noticed a push button phone in my room for the first time after a 3 day stay. I wondered, "What is this doing here?" I use my cell phone for all travel communication. Why hasn't a cell phone app been developed to replace push button guest room phones?