By: Rush Blakely, President & Chief Executive Officer, RealtyCom Partners

Key takeaways: At the 2026 Broadband Communities Summit in Houston, the RealtyCom Partners team saw five trends shaping multifamily broadband:

1. Broadband is now a required part of the property and resident experience, not just an amenity.
2. Property-wide connectivity matters more as smart-building technology, telehealth, and remote work grow.
3. Owners want service providers that deliver measurable value, not just a service to sell.
4. AI conversations have shifted from future possibilities to practical, operational uses.
5. State and local regulations increasingly shape how multifamily telecom services are offered, billed, and disclosed.

Broadband is growing up, and speed is no longer the only measure of success. That was clear at the 2026 Broadband Communities Summit, where conversations extended well beyond building networks and delivering faster connections. Across the multifamily broadband industry, the focus is shifting toward sustainable business models, property-wide connectivity, resident satisfaction, and the long-term value of broadband infrastructure.

Spencer Brown, Mike Miller, Roxie Ferrin, Phil […]

PRESS RELEASE

RealtyCom Partners has been named Multifamily Partner of the Year in the 2026 Broadband Communities Awards. The award was presented at the Broadband Communities Summit in Houston and recognizes RealtyCom Partners’ dedication to helping multifamily owners navigate technology, telecommunications and broadband opportunities.

“I am incredibly proud and deeply honored to receive this award on behalf of the entire team at RealtyCom Partners,” said President and CEO Rush Blakely. “Being voted Multifamily Partner of the Year is recognition of the tireless work our amazing team does on behalf of our valued clients.”

This year’s awards drew more entries than ever before and were evaluated by an external, independent panel of nearly three dozen industry judges, making the recognition an even greater achievement for the RealtyCom Partners team.

RealtyCom Partners thanks its clients, industry partners and employees whose trust, collaboration and commitment made this honor possible.

Learn more about the 2026 Broadband Communities Award winners.

When acquiring a multifamily property, buyers carefully evaluate the physical asset, financial performance, and legal obligations before closing. Another critical area should not be overlooked: telecommunications.

Existing agreements with internet service providers, managed Wi-Fi providers, and other technology vendors can significantly impact a property’s revenue opportunities, resident experience, redevelopment plans, and long-term operational flexibility. Without thorough telecom due diligence, buyers may inherit hidden contractual obligations, overlooked revenue opportunities, or infrastructure limitations that only become apparent after the acquisition is complete.

At RealtyCom Partners, we help our clients uncover these issues before a transaction closes. By identifying existing provider relationships, technology limitations, reviewing agreements, and validating critical information, we provide clients with the insight they need to make informed investment decisions, reduce risk, and develop a clear strategy for post-closing success.

Why Telecom Due Diligence Is Essential

Obtaining an accurate picture of a property’s telecommunications environment isn’t always straightforward. Sellers may have incomplete records, agreements may have been lost through years of ownership changes, and regional or local providers may not be immediately identified. In some cases, the information provided during the transaction differs from what is contained within the agreements themselves.

Recent examples show how early telecom diligence can directly affect acquisition […]