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A Partnership Reimagined: HSC Systems & Radisson Blu Addis Ababa

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Hospitality
The Client

Radisson Blu Hotel, Addis Ababa

  • Country
  • Ethiopia
  • City
  • Addis Ababa
  • Year
  • 2025
Technical Overview
  • Uniguest/Otrum Enterprise IPTV platform upgrade with enhanced system functionality
  • 220+ Large screen LG Hospitality screens installed for an immersive viewing experience
  • Otrumcast Content Casting with Chromecast dongles for seamless guest streaming
  • Complete network equipment upgrade with high-performance Ruckus solutions provided
  • 190+ network equipment (switches, routers & APs) installed with structured deployment
The Crossroads:

When Legacy Systems Strain Modern Expectations

Even the most reliable systems eventually face the demands of a rapidly evolving digital world. Radisson Blu Addis Ababa, committed to premium service, began feeling the friction points of its aging infrastructure. For guests, particularly business travelers, this meant frustratingly “frequent connectivity issues” disrupting work and leisure. The once-adequate 32-inch TVs felt small, and the interface lacked modern flair.

Behind the scenes, the hotel staff navigated challenges. The IT department wrestled with troubleshooting complexities like channel freezes, caused by the system’s age. For the Marketing department, opportunities were missed; the old system offered no way to directly share promotions or essential hotel information on guest room TVs. The technology, once state-of-the-art, was struggling to keep pace with guest expectations and operational needs.

Reimagining the Modern Guest Experience

Recognizing the need for transformation, Radisson Blu Addis Ababa once again turned to its trusted partner, HSC Systems

We responded with future-focused IPTV and Network solutions that felt effortless, intuitive, and deeply personalized for every guest, while empowering staff with efficient, powerful tools.
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Solution Deployed: IPTV

A Modern IPTV Core for Immersive Entertainment

  • At the heart of the in-room transformation was an upgrade from the aging Otrum Evolution to the more dynamic and feature-rich Otrum Enterprise IPTV platform.
  • The new platform delivers a larger selection of TV channels in Full-HD quality, a vastly improved and customizable user experience compared to its predecessor and integration capabilities that lay the groundwork for content casting and direct-to-room marketing messages.
  • For a complete modern IPTV experience, all outdated screens were replaced with over 220 newer and modern large-format LG Hospitality TVs supporting Full-HD content.
Solution Deployed: IPTV

Personalized Content Casting: BYOD Made Easy

  • Recognising the modern traveler’s desire to access their content anytime, anywhere, we introduced Otrumcast Content Casting into the hotel. This Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) capability significantly elevates the in-room entertainment experience by allowing guests to effortlessly and privately stream their preferred content, be it Netflix, YouTube or personal media, directly from their own smartphones, tablets or laptops onto the TVs.

  • Implementation of Content Casting involved installing over 200 Chromecast dongles and to secure these typically small devices, HSC devised specialised anti-theft tether mounts.

Solution Deployed: Digital Signage

Centralized Management & Control of the IPTV Platform

  • For IT department, the platform’s streamlined system monitoring allows them to easily check TV status and troubleshoot remotely from their desks.
  • For marketing, it provides a user-friendly interface to share targeted promotional content, hotel information and campaigns using text, graphics or even video.
  • This centralized control significantly improves operational efficiency and communication capabilities for the hotel’s team.
Solution Deployed: Network

Upgrading Network for Rock-Solid Connectivity.

  • To resolve frequent connectivity issues and provide a strong network for other systems, we undertook a complete network equipment upgrade. This upgrade provided a robust and reliable wired/wireless network across the property with improved security, performance, and bandwidth.
  • The implementation involved replacing outdated hardware with high-performance Ruckus network solutions; installing 30+ network switches and 160+ wireless access points for comprehensive property-wide coverage. This eliminated past connectivity problems and effortlessly supports numerous systems across the property.
Impact & Testimonials

Project Impact: Tangible Results & Client Voices

The IPTV and Network upgrade at Radisson Blu Hotel, Addis Ababa delivered clear and immediate value, enhancing the guest experience, streamlining hotel operations and positioning the property for future growth. The change was practical and meaningful, benefiting both the staff and guests.
Testimonial

Faster, More Reliable Connectivity to Meet Today’s Needs

Perhaps the most critical outcome was the dramatic improvement in connectivity. The frustration of the old system was replaced by seamless, reliable internet access throughout the property.
Osman Hussein, Financial Controller

"One challenge that stood out was the frequent connectivity issues, a common complaint from our guests, especially business travellers who depend on stable internet. The new Wi-Fi system promises to solve this, giving guests a seamless and reliable online experience" said Osman Hussein, Financial Controller.

He added that reliable internet is "increasingly becoming a priority for travellers".

Testimonial

Modernized Entertainment: Content Casting & Upgraded Screens

In-room entertainment saw a major boost. Larger Full-HD screens replaced outdated 32-inch models. Content Casting allows guests to stream their own content

Natnael Tibebu, IT Manager.

"Guests love the new content casting feature. Most people today want to watch what they want on YouTube, Netflix, whatever they enjoy and now they can do that effortlessly" said Natnael Tibebu, IT Manager. He added, "Chromecast has been a game-changer. It's user-friendly, easy to access, and exactly what our guests want."

Testimonial

Smarter Tools for Streamlining IT Operations

A simplified TV management platform with centralized dashboard, real-time monitoring, and remote troubleshooting capabilities-IT operations became more efficient and less reactive.
Natnael Tibebu, IT Manager.

"The new system is a huge improvement. From our desks, we can now see which TVs are online, troubleshoot remotely, and send updates instantly," said Mr. Tibebu. "It’s made our work smoother and more efficient, it’s easy to maintain and much easier to support."

Testimonial

Marketing Control: A New Communication Channel

Similarly, the Marketing department gained powerful new capabilities. For the first time, the team gained direct access to the in-room TVs, transforming them into a dynamic communications channel.
Ms. Frehiwot Mekonnen, Marketing Manager

"The previous system was outdated and with limited access," explained Ms. Frehiwot Mekonnen, Marketing Manager. "With the new platform, I can now run marketing campaigns, promotions, and much more directly on the TV platform. It allows me to reach a wide range of guests, even when they are in their rooms. I can easily upload pictures, text, and videos, all from my laptop."

She further highlighted the system’s usability, adding: "It is very user-friendly and gives me an entirely new way to engage with guests, even when they are relaxing in their rooms."

Testimonial

A Strategic and Financial Upside for the Property

The upgrade was not just operational—it has long-term strategic value. By addressing key guest complaints and offering superior amenities, the upgrade is positioned to drive business success.
Mr. Osman Hussien, Financial Controller

Mr. Osman Hussien, Financial Controller, emphasized the direct business impact of the upgrade: "The enhanced IPTV system and improved network connectivity can attract more guests, which ultimately strengthens our financial performance. From my perspective, this is not just an upgrade—it is a true game-changer."

HSC Systems + Radisson Blu, Addis Ababa

A Project Built Together.
A Collaboration in Action.
A Partnership That Felt Like Family.

What They Said

Professionalism and Support Experience

As the Radisson Blu Addis Ababa team reflected on the partnership experience, their sentiments were clear:

The Radisson Team

"From day one, the experience felt different. The HSC team was professional, respectful and aligned with our priorities. Across departments, collaboration came naturally. It was social, with no friction, only collaboration," said Natnael, IT Manager.

The hands-on approach reinforced that professionalism: "The HSC team was available, supportive, and willing to listen. Every question was answered. Training was practical and inclusive, from the front office to engineering. Their reliability made all the difference," said Osman, Financial Controller.

Frehiwot, Marketing Manager, added: "The support we received made everything simple and user-friendly, turning what used to be difficult tasks into everyday ease."

A Word from HSC Systems

From Our Side: A Partnership That Felt Like Family

For David Gumba, HSC Systems’ Technical Installations Manager, the collaboration with Radisson Blu Addis Ababa went far beyond technical execution. It was a project built on shared trust, mutual respect and a genuine desire to see each other succeed.
David Gumba, HSC Systems

"We’ve been partnering for over a decade, but this project felt different. We spent a lot of time together and grew more like family than just colleagues," David shared. Reflecting on the experience, he noted the unity between teams: "We started as professionals working on a task, but by the end, we were friends, technical advisors to each other"

What They Said

This project was a continuation of a longstanding partnership.

Radisson Blu Addis Ababa trusted HSC Systems once again to modernize the very systems we helped install over a decade ago. As HSC Systems celebrates 25 years of service excellence, this project stands out as a clear example of how long-term partnerships and local expertise can deliver lasting impact.
To the entire team at Radisson Blu Hotel, Addis Ababa. Thank you for trusting us over the last 15 years. It has been a privilege to walk this journey with you, and we look forward to what the future holds together.

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