Gigabit Managed WiFi for Coax
Got Coax? Deliver gigabit managed WiFi without a rewire.
If you’ve recently read an article about a successful implementation of modern connectivity in a multi-family property, the chances are that it is highlighting a new build community. Unfortunately, not enough attention is paid to the reality that most multi-family communities are existing properties wired with coaxial cabling (coax). Property owners must address this fact when planning for the technology investments required to meet the increasing demand for high-speed Internet from their residents and to enable the smart apartment technology required to modernize their operations.
Forget the rewire project. Have confidence in your coax to increase your property’s value.
These property owners are often misled to believe that they must undergo an expensive and challenging re-wire project to upgrade their property with modern connectivity. They reluctantly agree to costly projects that disrupt their residents with the promise of “future proofing.” It’s time to debunk this myth.
With the latest technology being deployed by operators such as Spectrum, properties can achieve gigabit symmetrical speeds and multi-gigabit speeds over coax. “High split” network upgrades allocate additional bandwidth to upstream internet traffic, achieving gigabit upstream speeds. Today’s widely deployed DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem technology can deliver 2 gigabit-per-second speeds, and soon DOCSIS 4.0 technology will enable speeds of up to 10 Gbps.
These speeds far exceed the needs of today’s residents. The best managed WiFi properties today are serviced through 10-gigabit connections in the Main Distribution Frame for the entire building. Imagine delivering 10 gigabits to each unit. Internet usage is skewed 14 times more downstream than upstream, so a gigabit on the upstream provides more than enough headroom to support new applications.
Property owners who understand they can have confidence in their coax are able deploy tech amenities such as bulk internet and advanced WiFi at a lower cost and with faster speed than compared to traditional managed WiFi deployments. This leads to faster and higher net operating income gains.
Pre-installed, always on.
Cable operators such as Spectrum have developed advanced WiFi solutions that can be easily installed in each unit using existing wiring and without cutting into the walls. No contractor or electrician is required.
The equipment includes a wall-mounted cable modem and WiFi router. Technicians professionally install this equipment, and the equipment remains in the unit as residents move in and out. With the equipment remaining active while the unit is vacant, the property owner can keep smart apartment technology connected to control unit access, temperature and to monitor for leaks.
Advanced WiFi, not just managed WiFi.
These solutions, such as Spectrum’s Spectrum Ready product, deliver what a property manager needs from managed WiFi, and then even more for the resident. The WiFi is always on to maintain connectivity while the unit is vacant and to allow for residents to instantly activate internet service the moment they move in. The property gets its own network for connecting smart apartment technology such as IoT Hubs and security cameras. The resident gets a separate, personal network to connect their devices. The task of getting that personal network activated is handled by the resident scanning a QR code, taking the task of issuing WiFi credentials off the plate of the leasing office. Residents also benefit from additional advanced WiFi features, such as parental controls and security threat monitoring. Both property staff and residents enjoy fast WiFi in common areas indoor and out.
Win when retrofitting.
When you are ready to upgrade your existing property, consider first what your needs are: Do you need always-on connectivity to power smart apartment technology? Do you want to market a tech amenity that includes symmetrical or multi-gigabit speeds to stand out from your competitors? Do your residents value the ability to customize their home network and take advantage of advanced WiFi features? What work will my leasing staff have to do to administer the WiFi amenity?
Yes, to all of the above? Now consider how you are going to do it. Does all of this require a complex re-wire? No. Solutions are available now that enable multi-gigabit, always on, advanced WiFi utilizing the property’s existing coax wiring. It has never been easier to deploy a winning technology amenity.