The Baby Boomers R Coming!
The Baby Boomers. The kids born between 1945 and 1956. Among their numbers can be counted a number of movements that changed the world. They were the Beatniks. The Beatles and the Motown Sound. The Hippies. The Woodstock Generation. Rock and Rollers. Remember the Yuppies? Some thought “greed is good,” Others abandoned the “plastic” life to live alternative lifestyles. They witnessed the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Kennedy Assassinations, and man landing on the moon. And – oh yeah – they were the first generation to use the Internet.
Now the Baby Boomers are getting ready to retire. Recent surveys show that 41% of seniors from ages 65-74 say they have gone on-line and or used email. It is expected that 70% of individuals from the ages 50-65 years of age will have gone on-line and used email. This means that more individuals age 50+ will be using the Internet and its technologies which will make the demand for connectivity even more vigorous.
With this fantastic access to the world, seniors living apart from their families and loved can stay connection and in touch with the use of high speed Internet broadband access. Seniors are now part of the technical revolution; within the past few years enrollments in computer classes have risen as seniors signing up in droves. Many seniors are now able to see photos of their relatives, check on their financial status, keep up with current world events, and monitor their health from the comfort of their PC. Elderly with handicaps or those with difficulty driving or walking can shop from the computer, accessing the thousands of etailers online. Using this new electronic knowledge, seniors are becoming more comfortable with computers and usage in the senior community centers is soaring. This new surge for technology with the Baby Boomer generation is creating the need for more access where seniors are socializing and living. Connecting these senior communities means Internet access in one shared multipurpose area in the community center but, some may be apprehensive about using a computer in front of their peers. Seniors want their privacy and personal space just like everyone else.
To meet this new growing challenge, senior communities are faced with the daunting task of providing connectivity for not just Internet access but the ability to provide television and voice calling as part of the total package. These services will need to be distributed throughout the entire community, in tight niche proximity in environments like college dorms; each individual dwelling unit will need to have it own connectivity. How can the MSOs provide a viable solution that does not require a huge under taking in equipment and man hours to deploy and maintain? This solution could require three or more separate groups allocating their time and resources in building, managing, and maintaining these environments which could raise the cost of providing the services. Connecting these senior living communities to Internet, television, and voice calling has never been easier when partnering with ZyXEL’s hospitality and multi-dwelling unit networking service gateways.
Easily deployed and distributed high speed broadband connectivity through an entire senior community is a snap using ZyXEL’s VSG-1200v2 High Speed Internet Access designed for Hospitality paired with ZyXEL’s G4100v2 Wireless Hotspot gateway. The VSG-1200v2 is the perfect solution for hassle free connectivity when connecting up to 300 rooms. Global Roaming Support with vendors like AIRPATH, BOINGO, IPASS, GRIC and built-in RADIUS client allows seamless wireless access. In smaller deployments with 100 rooms or less, the G4100v2 is an excellent addition for easy plug and play installations, delivering economy and ease of use. Using the optional receipt printer makes generating receipts fast and easy when using ether the VSG1200v2 or the G4100v2. Both products support wireless networking in conjunction with ZyXEL’s wireless Access Points. High performance wireless connectivity is a snap with ZyXEL’s NWA-3160 and NWA-3163 wireless Access Points to deliver amazing wireless access, extended range and coverage throughout the entire community. Built in Walled Garden for instant hot spot access enables a customized welcome home page. Billing, authentication, and accounting can be administered through one local Web page interface on the network LAN and remotely from any Internet location to the home office. Combine these two service gateways with ZyXEL’s unsurpassed business class wireless networking and centralized management system that rivals enterprise class products at a fraction of the price.
Providing safe, secure, easy-to-install and cost efficient networking systems offers service providers a lucrative opportunity in serving the millions of seniors who will be retiring over the next few decades. Products from ZyXEL are already available to deliver popular and much-needed broadband connectivity to the Baby Boomers, and now is the perfect opportunity to begin planning, selling and deploying to senior communities worldwide.
Lewis Lustman
Director of Marketing
