Touchstone 1 on Its Rebrand, Expansion, and the Future of Hotel Connectivity

As guest expectations rise and connectivity becomes the backbone of every stay, hotel technology providers are rethinking their identity and approach. Touchstone 1, formerly known as Hotel Internet Services, is one such company leading this shift. With a bold new name and a broadened focus beyond hospitality, Touchstone 1 aims to set a higher standard for reliability, service, and guest experience.

Why the Rebrand?

The name Hotel Internet Services no longer reflected who the company had become or where it was headed. While hospitality remains a core market, Touchstone 1 now also serves multifamily communities, public venues, fitness brands, and more. Most importantly, its portfolio has expanded well beyond internet solutions — including advanced security camera systems, seamless casting, and modern in-room entertainment technologies. The new identity underscores a mission that goes further: powering the connected experience, wherever people live, stay, and gather.

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“Touchstone” refers to a tool once used to test the purity of gold, symbolizing the high standards the company upholds for itself and its clients. The “1” reflects its mission to be the first choice in innovation and service. Together, the new name represents the company’s commitment to raising the bar for technology and guest experiences — making them more reliable, human-centric, and forward-looking.

Delivering Real Value

Hotels and multifamily developments often face recurring issues with unreliable Wi-Fi and support systems that rely on slow, multi-tiered escalation. Touchstone 1 addresses these pain points by designing networks that “just work” and by giving customers direct access to skilled engineers who can resolve issues quickly.

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The company measures success through consistent system performance, rapid problem resolution, and improved guest and resident satisfaction. When guests no longer notice the Wi-Fi because it simply works, Touchstone 1 considers that the highest compliment.

Proof in Action

At Best Western Plus Jefferson in Wisconsin, Touchstone 1 upgraded the property’s internet circuit from 200 Mbps to 500 Mbps and implemented segmented networks with device-based bandwidth caps. This ensured fair usage and improved reliability for all users. Dedicated staff, public, and guest networks were added with tailored authentication and security protocols. Guests experienced faster, more stable connections, while business systems operated free from bandwidth strain.

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At Quality Inn & Suites Youngtown in Arizona, the company transformed a property that previously had no internet service. After installation, guests and staff gained wired and wireless access across the site. The new infrastructure is expected to deliver measurable gains in both operational efficiency and guest satisfaction.

Standing Out in a Crowded Market

In a competitive connectivity and guest-technology market, Touchstone 1 differentiates itself through three core strengths:

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• A focus on people and skill development, with industry-leading technical training.
• A 24/7/365 support model that connects property teams directly with Tier 3 engineers at its Network Operations Center, eliminating traditional escalation delays.
• A culture of accountability that emphasizes delivering on every commitment.

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These elements define the company’s reputation for reliability and customer trust.

Looking Ahead

The next two years will see major advancements in hospitality connectivity. Wi-Fi 7 and WPA3 are expected to reshape how properties plan for coverage, speed, and security. Every property will need to prepare for 6 GHz spectrum support, faster onboarding for WPA3-compatible devices, and stronger data protection standards.

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Touchstone 1 is investing heavily in these areas — from testing new hardware to developing secure, scalable network models — to help properties stay ahead of guest expectations and compliance demands.

From Contract to Completion

A typical network upgrade project takes between 4 and 6 weeks from contract to completion. The process begins with a detailed site survey, followed by a custom network design and coordination with property management to schedule installation around occupancy and seasonal needs.

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On-site work includes cabling (if required), equipment setup, testing, and a final walk-through before handoff to the support team. SmartRoom and casting installations follow a similar 4–6 week timeline, with only a few days of on-site work. After setup and testing, staff receive full training before the system goes live.

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Touchstone 1’s adaptable approach allows each rollout to fit the unique needs of the property, minimizing disruption and maximizing performance.

Protecting Privacy and Compliance

Guest privacy and network security remain at the heart of Touchstone 1’s solutions. The company pioneered the use of Personal Area Networks (PANs) in hospitality, long before they became standard practice. This approach isolates guest devices to maintain privacy while supporting easy connectivity.

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With proactive monitoring tools and a 24/7 Network Operations Center, Touchstone 1 identifies and resolves issues within minutes. Its service-level agreements (SLAs) are built around uptime, reliability, and compliance, giving hotels and multifamily clients confidence that their networks — and their guests — are protected.

A New Chapter

The rebrand to Touchstone 1 marks more than a name change. It represents a broader mission to set the benchmark for connectivity, reliability, and guest experience. As hospitality enters a new era defined by smarter technology and higher expectations, Touchstone 1 is positioning itself as the partner that helps properties stay connected — and stay ahead.

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