EnGenius Networks, a global leader in cloud-managed connectivity solutions, have announced that starting in July 2025, SmartCast will be available license-free across all EnGenius Cloud-managed environments. This advanced wireless content casting solution addresses the growing demand for personalised digital experiences in hotel rooms, hospitals, and senior living facilities. From this date SmartCast will be natively enabled on all EnGenius Cloud-managed networks—with no additional hardware, IPTV licenses, or complex configuration required. EnGenius streamlines the guest experience and also drastically reduces technical and operational overhead for system integrators and IT managers.

BYOE is No Longer a Luxury — It’s an Expectation

According to Hotel Internet Services, 40% of guests would choose a hotel with casting capabilities over one without, and 72% express interest in accessing their personal streaming accounts on the in-room TV. This trend, known as BYOE (Bring Your Own Entertainment), is rapidly becoming the new digital standard in Hospitality.

The Critical Issue: Network Isolation Blocks Casting

Traditionally, hotels deploy Layer 2 isolation (L2 Isolation) to safeguard guest privacy. However, this measure prevents guest devices from detecting streaming receivers like Chromecast or Apple TV, effectively blocking essential protocols like mDNS, Bonjour, and SSDP and frustrating the user experience. SmartCast overcomes this technical limitation, allowing secure content casting even with L2 Isolation enabled—a game-changing advancement for the sector.

SmartCast: Simplicity, Privacy, and Scalability

SmartCast allows guests to stream content from their smartphones or tablets directly to their room’s TV—no shared credentials, no QR codes (if not desired), and no cross-room interference. There are three flexible deployment options with EnGenius:

• VLAN per room + SSID Suffix: Each room receives its own isolated network (e.g. Guest_Room101), with dedicated VLAN segmentation. Ideal for premium hotels requiring strict network isolation.
• SmartCast: A single SSID across all rooms, with support for L2 Isolation. Connection via QR code for maximum security and usability.
• Casting on LAN (LAN Cast): Casting traffic is confined to the same multi-port access point (e.g. ECW215). No QR code required. Perfect for quick rollouts using in-wall APs.

Key Benefits for the Channel, Integrators, and Operators

• Centralised, scalable management via EnGenius Cloud
• No license fees – SmartCast included at no cost in Cloud-managed environments
• Compatible with existing APs, including in-wall and multi-port models
• Reduces reliance on external hardware and IT maintenance
• Boosts guest ratings on platforms like Booking.com and TripAdvisor
• Enhances guest loyalty through modern, personalised experiences

Use Cases in Professional Environments

Hospitality

• Premium streaming without IPTV systems
• Directly improves NPS and post-stay satisfaction

Hospitals and Clinics

• Private in-room entertainment without shared remotes
• Ideal for long stays, adult and paediatric wards

Universities and Senior Residences

• Aligned with new digital consumption habits
• Plug & play deployment with zero friction

SmartCast: A True Home-Like Experience

With this innovation, EnGenius strengthens its position as a brand that connects not only networks but also user experiences. Designed for multi-user environments with real isolation and scalability, EnGenius Cloud with SmartCast sets the new benchmark for private entertainment in professional settings.

EnGenius Cloud unifies cybersecurity, routing, Wi-Fi, PoE switching, advanced PDUs, and AI video surveillance in a single, license-free console, enabling hotels and integrators to deploy full-stack networks in minutes and significantly reduce OPEX.

Its Wi-Fi 7-ready hardware, with metal chassis, limited lifetime warranty, and IP67 options, ensures 24/7 robustness while maintaining full backward compatibility with existing Wi-Fi 4–6, VLAN, and PoE infrastructure—protecting prior investments.

Real-time analytics, smart roaming, and free OTA updates elevate the guest experience—with seamless streaming and SmartCast—while IT staff monitor the entire environment from a single global cloud dashboard.