Choosing a Managed Wi-Fi Provider
By: Rush Blakely
I have written before about the Managed Wi-Fi Evolution, and how many of our clients are considering property-wide Managed Wi-Fi for their communities to enhance the resident experience, add management efficiency for property staff, and increase property value and NOI. Perhaps the most important benefit is the foundational nature of an Owner-owned network for new proptech deployments and future flexibility.
Many companies provide Managed Wi-Fi services. There are those who provide the circuit and backhaul “fiber in the ground” and those who provide the customer-facing products and support, as well as those who may act as intermediaries between the resident and service provider. As you consider whether Managed Wi-Fi is right for your assets, here are some of our takeaways to consider when choosing a provider:
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- Property Considerations – Choose providers that have significant experience with your property type. For example, garden-style properties can pose obstacles. Often, they lack climate-controlled telecom closets at each building, opting instead for lockboxes or spaces that are not climate-controlled. This can impact the Home Run cabling type used in the deployment. In addition, proofing existing conduit structures or potentially installing new conduits between buildings may be required. […]
- Property Considerations – Choose providers that have significant experience with your property type. For example, garden-style properties can pose obstacles. Often, they lack climate-controlled telecom closets at each building, opting instead for lockboxes or spaces that are not climate-controlled. This can impact the Home Run cabling type used in the deployment. In addition, proofing existing conduit structures or potentially installing new conduits between buildings may be required. […]
