Multifamily renters don’t just want fast, reliable Wi-Fi; they want it yesterday.
The 2024 National Multifamily Housing Council/Grace Hill Renter Preferences Survey Report found that 87% of renters consider it “very important” or “absolutely essential” to have connectivity available as soon as they move in.
Why Day-One Connectivity Matters
“Moving is already a stressful experience, which can be made worse by waiting on internet equipment or installation appointments,” said Melonie Hooper, operations director for Connected Communities at Quantum Fiber® from AT&T. “Lack of day-one connectivity limits residents' ability to seamlessly go about their lives and enjoy everything they are connected to.”
“Day-one connectivity is equally important to property staff and internet service providers, Hooper said. When internet service is ready on move-in day, it creates a strong first impression and builds trust in both the property and the provider.
How Properties and Providers Work Together
Hooper explains their Connected Communities team provides training, marketing materials, and open-house or move-in support so property staff and leasing teams can pass along information about the property’s internet to new residents. The goal, Hooper said, is to not only ensure residents have access to Wi-Fi upon move-in, but prepare staff to present that service in a way that is compelling to prospective renters and home buyers and helps differentiate the property.
“Quantum Fiber® Connected Communities properties — those with a bulk or marketing agreement — expect top-quality service,” Hooper said. “Our end-to-end approach from design, install and ongoing staff support reflects how we are always operating with the best interests of both their property and their residents in mind.”
Melonie Hooper, Operations Director for Connected Communities, Quantum Fiber
Delivering day-one readiness can be challenging. The Connected Communities team works closely with property managers, general contractors and other vendors to navigate common challenges that can emerge in the final stages of installation and threaten community-wide and on-time connectivity. These may include landscaping, exterior construction or final interior work that can disrupt fiber installation or damage the fiber lines or equipment.
Dedicated implementation managers who serve as a clear, single point of contact throughout the project can work to keep communication flowing smoothly, Hooper said, especially around final-phase and overlapping work crews.
“Experienced internet service providers like Quantum Fiber bring operational experience, planning discipline and strong local execution to all builds,” Hooper said. “Veteran implementation teams know how to manage multi-phase builds, stay aligned to a tight schedule and help ensure connectivity is ready when residents move in.”
“The earlier the team can be looped into a property’s plans, the better,” Hooper said. By reviewing the property early and learning the customer's needs, the team is better prepared to execute with fewer surprises later in the process and align the customer with the right product and design from the start.
Looking Beyond Day-One
The overall goal is to ensure that residents are happy with their internet service not only on move-in day, but throughout the course of their tenancy. Hooper said that choosing a fiber connection helps ensure this because it provides a different experience than coax cable, with symmetrical upload and download speeds on most plans and lower latency. Fiber internet supports resident connectivity demands like video conferencing, remote work, streaming and connected devices.
“Fiber is future-ready,” she said. “It has significant untapped capacity to support future services and applications. As resident expectations evolve, fiber is better positioned to keep pace, helping ensure consistent satisfaction, not just today, but in the years ahead.”
Check out these related resources:
- Fiber Emerges as a Standout Choice for Broadband Infrastructure in Multifamily Living
- Quantum Fiber Client Case Study: Challenger Homes
- Resident experience drives investment gains in multifamily properties
More expert insights from Melonie Hooper:
- Master planned communities can dream bigger with Fiber Multigigabit capabilities.
- FAQ: Who will support my project?
Contact a Quantum Fiber Connected Communities expert to learn about connectivity solutions tailored to your multifamily community
A version of this story was originally published on Bisnow.com and was produced in collaboration between Quantum Fiber Connected Communities and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.
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