The first virtual edition of the Fiber Broadband Association’s annual conference, Fiber Connect, held in December, showcased many fiber community success stories and a variety of innovations that promise to expand fiber deployment. The show highlighted how communities are banding together and working with state and federal agencies to build out broadband in underserved communities. It also brought to light the need to increase bandwidth and provide flexible service during the pandemic, along with the problem of permitting obstacles and other challenges.

The 2021 broadband plans of incumbent telcos, independents, cable operators and electric co-ops will have a ripple effect on consumers and businesses.

Synergies between the organizations made the choice a natural one.

As UpStream Network becomes part of Single Digits, the company becomes part of a large, well-capitalized organization that will be better able to serve current and future clients.

In its annual conference, which will be held virtually from December 14–16, 2020, the Fiber Broadband Association will bring together experts in all aspects of fiber to the home (FTTH).

This year’s event is our best ever – 30 sessions with more than 100 of the industry’s top experts plus plenty of opportunities to network and engage.

MDU owners should conduct careful research before entering into new contracts with broadband service providers.

At the Broadband Communities Virtual Summit 2020, participants shared stories about how they are driving broadband into multifamily properties to enable higher speeds and provide a host of IoT services for residents and building owners. Following are some highlights of conference sessions focused on the multifamily market.

Private construction of multiple-dwelling-unit buildings is hitting a new record this year, with about 525,000 housing starts expected.

The pandemic has laid bare the critical importance of network infrastructure and the importance of the multifamily industry’s relationship with connectivity providers.

Gigabit services often bypass MDUs and home clusters because of the construction disruption and high cost of bringing fiber to each housing unit.

Emerging broadband technologies and smart devices have the potential to provide strong value for channel partners and their MDU customers.

New solutions promise faster installation of high-speed broadband in MDU buildings.

New business models by technology suppliers are making TV as a Service a possibility for MDU specialists. Can the industry benefit from these changes, or are the quality of service risks too high?

Broadband players can and should do more than provide broadband. They should support causes they care about.

Service providers find new opportunities to build managed Wi-Fi networks that support voice, data and building-management applications.

2020 is a challenging year for multifamily broadband, but it presents opportunities as well as dangers.

Service providers need to provide their MDU customers with a power statement that addresses their unique pain points.

COVID-19 is accelerating tech adoption in multifamily housing. Technologies that remain relevant post-pandemic will need strong connectivity, underscoring the importance of critical broadband infrastructure.

The eternal multifamily struggle to stay flexible in live content delivery.

As Wi-Fi has given rise to an array of bandwidth-hungry in-home applications, subscriber management has evolved from service providers offering new TV programming packages to building real relationships with users.

Fiber-to-the-home leaders and innovators for 2020

Independent providers are tackling the challenge of being an essential service for MDU residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic highlights the ways broadband is essential to how people work, study and play.

The latest offerings from top broadband hardware and software suppliers, distributors and service providers. 

Although 5G will capture headlines, the fiber-based wireline network will serve a dominant role for supporting wireless traffic as well as providing high-bandwidth services to residential and business customers.

As the multifamily industry embraces intelligent buildings and self-service apartments, the importance of telecom infrastructure comes into greater focus.

Internet providers and building owners are taking advantage of G.hn technology to deliver gigabit internet access and other services over existing copper wiring or coax cabling.

Fiber creates infrastructure and service options for community broadband installations.

From managed Wi-Fi to DOCSIS to fiber to the unit, service providers have various options to pursue a successful MDU bulk internet strategy.

The National Multifamily Housing Council’s annual conference, OPTECH, held in Dallas in November 2019, showcased how service providers are extending fiber and other technologies into new and existing MDUs to deliver high-speed broadband. The conference also highlighted how wireless technologies – mmWave wireless, Citizens Broadband Radio Service and Wi-Fi – complement MDU wireline connections.

Residents expect the convenience of on-site seamless connectivity. The right network is key to protection.

Streaming video, managed Wi-Fi, bulk internet, smart-home technology and skinny TV bundles are five hot items that will impact the MDU broadband market in 2020.

5G, CBRS and Wi-Fi wireless services all have a place. Building owners and developers can choose one that best meets their specific needs.

Property owners need to incorporate smart-home technology into managing and upgrading their communities.

Communitywide bulk networks can attract and retain new residents by providing instant-on, wall-to-wall coverage, and can provide cost savings, improved security,
and a range of other benefits to property owners.

Internet providers and building owners that want to offer gigabit services should investigate G.hn technology and reuse the existing copper wiring or coax cabling.

Smart technologies have become must-have amenities for renters and an effective way for property owners and management companies to achieve operational savings.

As renters continue to acquire more connected devices, it’s clear that the role of network connectivity is changing the dynamics of the multifamily housing industry. New trends will be highlighted at the NMHC OPTECH Conference & Exposition this November.

Even in a gigabit world, it takes more than great internet speed to keep MDU residents happy.

Private construction of multiple-dwelling-unit apartments is hitting a new record this year, with about 424,000 units expected.

Before building out new properties, the telco secures commitments from developers and homeowners associations.

Residents’ need for speed, their demand for video service and their interest in other technology amenities may vary from market to market, but the MDU world still has its eternal verities.

Independents set stake in the growing MDU broadband market by focusing on providing good customer service and doing things the right way. Their approach benefits property owners and residents alike.

A successful MDU broadband business needs to offer good customer service and establish a local presence to understand the unique needs of each community it serves.

Though there are still challenges to implementation, smart technology – from thermostats to lighting – stands to benefit everyone.

Telco sets new MDU fiber consumer goals as questions about its ILEC future loom.

To meet customer expectations, multifamily broadband providers must be able to troubleshoot a variety of problems that may be unrelated to broadband.

Proponents bill it as a win for apartment residents and owners, but apartment owners say the recently enacted San Francisco MDU ordinance ultimately creates more hurdles for delivering high-quality connectivity.

Speakers at the 2019 Broadband Communities Summit, held in Austin in April, agreed that every community wants – and needs – great broadband. How best to deliver great broadband to MDUs, master-planned communities, underserved towns and rural areas is still up for debate, however. Following are some highlights of speaker presentations.

Providers should explore the possible implications of the rule change and share comments with the FCC.

Sure, property owners evaluate speeds, features and prices of broadband offerings – but then they ask, “Who wants it most?”

As boomers transition to senior housing, keeping up with technology needs is crucial.

Smart home technology is a hot new trend. How does a provider know which vendor to pick – or whether a DIY approach would make more sense?

Independent providers shouldn’t aim for being a little bit better. They should understand owners’ problems and solve them.

Smart properties satisfy residents, reduce expenses and increase revenues – but they require robust networks.

Multiple-dwelling-unit properties represent the fastest-growing segment of the housing market, and broadband remains the No. 1 amenity for MDU residents.

Why do fewer than half of new MDU buildings have fiber installed during construction? Easy. Few developers employ broadband specialists, but most watch TV or read business pages.

Cord-cutters are starting to boomerang back to traditional pay TV after finding that over-the-top services are no less expensive.

Multifamily residents don’t want provider choice for its own sake – they want solid, reliable internet service. That’s why bulk internet makes sense.

Construction of multiple-dwelling-unit apartments has surpassed pre-recession levels on a sustained basis. But only about half of new MDUs have fiber broadband.

A system architect of MDU technology amenity systems shares his views on the MDU market and the requirements for developers and owners to meet the needs of their residents.

Following these guidelines will help building owners provide spaces, pathways and cables that service providers can use to deliver fiber optic services.

A new technology standard proves capable of accelerating the rollout of gigabit broadband to more MDU residents, extending fiber broadband speeds.

Visions of the future of multifamily technology keep changing. Are you ready for today’s future?

Technology isn’t all that’s changing in multifamily wireless service. Today’s new business models are disruptive as well.

Stories in the popular press often fuel clients’ concerns about broadband. Multifamily providers should always address these concerns seriously, even if they appear unfounded.

Technology offers options for communicating with residents and prospective residents efficiently and effectively.

As TV viewers’ preferences change and traditional bulk pay models decline, broadband providers must adapt and embrace new opportunities to offer bulk TV in the age of the internet.

What are the opportunities, roadblocks and future paths?

Highlights of the 2018 Broadband Communities Summit held in May in Austin, Texas

The Broadband Communities Summit brings together participants in the multifamily, rural, economic development, technology and policy worlds. This issue of the magazine has something for all of them.

Today’s customers – especially millennials – aren’t used to waiting for anything. If they have to wait for internet service, they won’t be happy at all.

A robust IP network delivers the services residents need.

A speeder-upper solution for delivering real broadband over twisted-pair copper.

Who you hire is the most important business decision you’ll make.

Bandwidth isn’t all the same. Make sure the circuit you purchase is appropriate for your community’s needs.

Service providers already have what they need to improve connectivity experiences in multifamily housing.

Amazon just upended the grocery industry. Why didn’t its competitors see that coming?

Construction of multiple-dwelling-unit (MDU) housing is booming, but owners and broadband providers need to read the fine print.

A provider that sells broadband services to multifamily communities must be able to tailor its sales and marketing strategy depending on who makes decisions for
the community.

Property owners and managers need to know when to upgrade their broadband infrastructure.

Nearly a quarter of U.S. housing is now in multiple-dwelling-unit (MDU) properties. These communities serve some of the most demanding broadband users. They also provide profitable opportunities for selling broadband services.

All new multifamily buildings should include fiber. It adds value and ensures residents the fast, reliable broadband they demand.

Property owners should secure their buildings’ smart technology.

In dense housing, resident-owned wireless routers play havoc with internet quality. Sometimes a gentle reminder to turn off these routers isn’t enough.

Launching a new brand is a good way to notify the world that you’ve solved some problems.

A dedicated, high-speed broadband network to connect the unconnected is a game changer for Cleveland.

Look to the future when you plan today’s broadband deployment.

Rapidly growing demand for cellular data inside large buildings makes distributed antenna systems increasingly necessary. Fortunately, technology advances have made such systems more affordable than they once were.

Every customer is valuable and deserves great service – but some are more valuable than others.

At the 2017 Broadband Communities Summit, held in Dallas in May, fiber deployers shared their experiences and vendors displayed their new technology.

A new survey of property owners shows that renters place a high value on technology amenities – but many owners still struggle to keep pace with residents’ demands.

Bulk billing is in the crosshairs of the FCC’s most recent broadband notice of inquiry.

After a decade of advising service providers and property owners, the author is once again on the receiving end of advice. Helpful comments from readers are welcome!

Multifamily real estate owners should control access to their buildings, their infrastructure and their residents. Here’s why.

The “me” generation isn’t anything like earlier generations – and why don’t millennials watch sports on TV, anyway?

Some aspects of customer service just can’t be automated.