VOICE, VIDEO, AND MORE It is clear that owners want control over their voice, video, and data services, but they think the providers should pay for the infrastructure. Nearly two-thirds indicated that they should have the right to grant exclusive access to providers of their choice. Meanwhile, 48 percent think the service provider should cover the cost of the infrastructure. This compares to 17 percent that feel the property owner should cover the costs.
The majority opinion is that the cable companies provide better quality high-speed Internet access than DSL providers. Although a full 26 percent of respondents reported no difference, 55 percent responded that apartment residents receive better quality high-speed Internet service from cable companies.
This all bodes well for residents, industry executives say. Nearly 40 percent of the survey respondents felt that the quality and quantity of cable television and high-speed Internet service are “major” factors for prospective residents. An additional 50 percent consider it at least somewhat of a factor. And a hefty 79 percent believe that providing free Wi-Fi Internet access in common areas should be a high priority for property owners.
Overall, unfortunately, the majority of people surveyed do not consider the multifamily industry to be particularly innovative in its approach to technology. Opinions were varied but equally split on how the multifamily industry stacks up against other industries: One-third feel it is “on a par with other industries”, another third find multifamily “lagging behind the real estate sector,” and the final third believes that our industry has “a long way to go.” But then again, when was the last time you saw a large group of apartment executives agree on anything?
David Cardwell is vice president of capital markets and technology at the National Multi Housing Council in Washington, D.C.