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tion in each home, as well as separate service and hardware for common areas.

• Bulk Wi-Fi provides internet service for each apartment home, typically at an optimal price due to economy of scale, though it removes provider choice from residents. Each home is equipped with a modem and cable connection, as are common areas and offices.

• Managed Wi-Fi is similar to bulk but provides a more robust experience for residents, staff and guests. Residents can maneuver throughout the entire community on the same network without any downtime. The property staff can have their own dedicated network for mobile maintenance and prospects can use the network for enhanced self-guided tours.

The session will urge operators to consider their capital commitments and anticipated returns alongside the service level they plan to provide to residents. Residents, as well as onsite teams, have an increasing dependency on Wi-Fi for their daily work/life needs, making reliable Wi-Fi an essential amenity.

“Residents want seamless access the minute they move in and to stay connected everywhere onsite, from their home to the fitness center and in the elevator to the parking garage.” Karren says. “As operators shift to pods and centralized models for leasing and maintenance, reliable internet becomes even more critical. Wi-Fi went from a nice-to-have just for residents to a must-have for residents, staff, prospects and vendors.”

Panelists will review key community requirements, demographics, value-add potential and market factors that should be factored into decision-making.

Have you looked at your group retrospective rating options?

While Wi-Fi infrastructure installation during development is relatively simple, retrofitting existing communities to managed service is more complicated. Panelists will break down the importance of the due diligence process during retrofits, as well as the longevity and adaptability of the chosen system. They will walk through the analysis of existing internet provider contracts and their potential influence on Wi-Fi decisions.

When it comes to Wi-Fi service, low cost and connection speed are the two must-haves for residents and the most compelling selling points for prospects. Ultimately, operators must select the option that best meets resident demand while also creating a strong network to support onsite teams and smart building technology.