By Laura Quirarte
As smart home technology increasingly becomes the norm, residents’ demands for faster, more reliable internet, has more and more Multi-Family Operators recognizing the potential of Managed Wi-Fi (MWI), not just as a way to enhance the resident experience, but to drive efficiencies and reduce overall operational costs.
Technology is evolving rapidly, which can leave properties that have previously implemented Managed Wi-Fi, in a place where they may need updates or upgrades. In this article we’ll explore important considerations when determining if switching providers is the right choice for your property and how RealtyCom Partners can assist.
- What reasons might lead an Owner to reconsider their provider after likely investing substantial capital in the initial implementation years ago?
- Cost Savings: A new provider may offer more competitive pricing models, improved contract terms, or a different service model able to significantly improve their Net Operating Income (NOI) and enhance resident satisfaction.
- Inconsistent or sluggish internet service or inferior customer support can create widespread issues, including increased resident complaints, reputational harm from negative reviews, and declining occupancy levels.
- Attracting New Residents and Resident Retention: With the increasing implementation of smart homes, in 2025, reliable and fast internet is a non-negotiable for residents who work from home, are in school, or simply require seamless connectivity for day-to-day living.
- What should you consider when thinking about changing providers?
- From larger franchised providers to independent Internet Service Providers (ISPs), there’s no shortage of providers to choose from in today’s market. This is why it’s vitally important that operators properly vet the providers they are considering. Ensuring they are financially stable and that they are able to demonstrate a proven track record of successful deployments on properties of a similar type to yours will help you narrow down and ultimately select the right provider for your project.
- Customer Service: Does the provider ensure timely issue resolution by assigning a dedicated team to support your onsite staff during the transition? Is the provider reputable and capable of coordinating a seamless transition from your existing service, while mitigating the risk of prolonged downtime? What is the break-even timeline for any required Owner investment, and when should additional capital be anticipated for equipment refreshes or bandwidth expansion?
- Finally, what are the most common challenges operators face when making a service provider switch and how can you avoid them?
- Effective communication among all stakeholders is, in our experience, the greatest challenge to achieving a smooth transition.
- Once a new provider has been selected, timely issuance of termination notices to the current provider is crucial to prevent contractual conflicts when the new agreement begins.
- Next up: timing and coordination. It’s crucial that the new provider collaborates with the outgoing provider to ensure a smooth transition and avoid any long-term service disruptions.
- In cases where unit entry is necessary or service interruptions are expected, it is the responsibility of the site team to provide residents with adequate advance notice.
- Holding weekly calls with stakeholders and onsite staff is an effective way to resolve issues promptly and proactively manage unexpected challenges.
In short, switching providers is a major undertaking that can introduce complexities and difficulties if not carefully managed. Many of these challenges can be addressed before they arise by taking a holistic approach to determine if making the switch is worth it to not only your residents but your site team, and your bottom line. When done right, the switch can result in better services, happier residents, and smoother operations.
Thinking about making the switch or simply want to learn more? Get in touch today to learn how our team of experts can work for you.
Contact us at info@realtycompartners.com to see how we can help!
