Choosing Fiber-Backed Managed WiFi
Let’s be honest, fast and reliable internet is not just a luxury for today’s renters: It’s a necessity that developers should anticipate as soon as they start planning for a new multifamily community.
When you invest in Managed WiFi, you take control of your building’s internet infrastructure and your WiFi revenue, allowing you to increase your NOI while providing seamless connectivity for residents that is available as soon as they move in.
Planning for an integrated fiber-backed Managed WiFi network before construction commences reduces expenses and improves outcomes. It starts with understanding the process for installing Managed WiFi. Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect.
1. Planning Your Tailored Solution: Discussions Begin
Collaboration is the cornerstone of a successful building-wide internet installation project. When you partner with a fiber-backed Managed WiFi Provider like Homebase, the first step is to develop a tailored solution.
You can expect WiFi networking experts, smart building specialists, and project managers to work closely with developers, general contractors, electricians, and other stakeholders to ensure that the solution meets your community’s needs.
Part of this process is assessing whether your community would benefit from using GPON to provide the highest fiber speeds on the market through our partner Cambium Networks. You will also discuss how much revenue your community could generate with Managed WiFi.
2. Conversations with Your Architect: Designing for Internet
Involving your Managed WiFi Provider before the architect begins drawing plans for the building ensures that you construct the building in a way that reduces costs and increases WiFi efficiency.
Your Managed WiFi Provider will recommend that you plan in advance for the spaces you will need, beginning with Main Distribution Frame (MDF) closets. Depending on whether you are choosing copper or fiber connections, you will also need Independent Distribution Frame (IDF) closets or fiber splices with access panels in utility spaces. These are important for creating a building-wide connection. If you choose to use copper connections, the wire from the MDF closet to the IDF closets should be less than 300 feet, so it helps to build these closets on top of each other.
Close communication between your team and your Managed WiFi Provider will set you up for success in the next stages of the project.
3. Preparing for Construction: Permits and Partnerships
Before construction can begin, your Managed WiFi Provider needs to prepare.
This starts with securing necessary permits, a task that involves navigating the intricacies of local municipality processes and transportation regulations. At the same time, your Managed WiFi Provider will select an Internet Service Provider to partner with to bring WiFi to your property and work with them to plan the fiber route. Your Managed WiFi Provider’s team will also procure the materials that are essential for the fiber network’s deployment and complete the network setup.
These preparatory processes take about 90 days and set the stage for a smooth transition into the construction phases.
4. Off-Site Construction: Bringing Fiber WiFi to Your Community
With permits in hand and materials at the ready, your Managed WiFi Provider’s partner Internet Service Provider swings into action. This off-site construction phase involves laying the groundwork for connectivity to your community. This could encompass tasks like trenching, laying conduits, and establishing connections to the larger fiber network infrastructure. Rigorous attention to detail is paramount, as the quality of this work underpins the entire network’s reliability.
5. On-Site Construction: Extending Connectivity
As the off-site construction concludes, attention shifts to the on-site construction phase. This is where the construction team extends network connections through all buildings on the property, including common areas and individual living units. The goal is to seamlessly integrate WiFi connectivity into every space in the community, ensuring that residents will have high-speed internet at their fingertips from the moment they move in.
6. Implementation and Activation: Empowering Your Community
Once the intricate web of fiber connections has been established both off-site and on-site, the focus transitions to implementation and activation. During this phase, the WiFi construction team equips units and designated common areas with the necessary equipment to harness the power of the fiber network, including WiFi Access Points and ONTs (Optical Network Terminals). Once this step is complete, residents can sign up for WiFi and begin their lightning-fast fiber WiFi experience.
Getting Started
As our digital world continues to evolve, integrating fiber-optic internet into new multifamily communities is a visionary step to prepare for an increasingly connected world.
By partnering with experienced fiber-backed Managed WiFi Providers and understanding the stages of installation, developers and builders can navigate the path to a future-ready, high-speed, and reliable internet infrastructure. In doing so, they enhance the value of their properties, generate new revenue, and empower residents to thrive in the digital age.
The successful implementation of high-speed WiFi and fiber in your community hinges on early agreement negotiations with your chosen ISP. Initiating these discussions well in advance is crucial for ensuring that your architect designs with WiFi in mind and that the construction process proceeds on schedule.
If you’re ready to begin your journey with fiber-backed Managed WiFi, our smart building specialists can help. Connect with us today to start a conversation about your new community.
