Parks Associates’ new study "Managed Wi-Fi: MDU Resident Demand & Preferences" found that apartment residents are consuming more digital content compared with residents of condos and single-family homes.
The research reveals that 17% of apartment dwellers report using a gaming console daily versus 12% of single-family residents and 7% of condo residents. The survey included 8,000 U.S. internet households and examined the landscape for bulk and managed Wi-Fi adoption in multifamily properties, including the drivers of demand among residents.
"Apartment residents report spending more hours each week playing online games, streaming music, and watching online video compared to condo and single-family home residents," says Kristen Hanich, director of research at Parks Associates.
"By contrast, residents in condos and single-family housing report higher daily use of computers, largely explained by their work-at-home habits. Properties deploying internet solutions to rental communities need to be prepared to meet the different needs of these residents, including putting Wi-Fi access points in the right areas of the property and supporting wired ethernet for gamers."
As properties retire legacy free Wi-Fi and move toward premium services, the study indicates a gradual rise in resident satisfaction with bulk internet. Many legacy free services, while appreciated by residents, require splash pages to log in and create privacy issues and difficulties connecting browserless devices (including many IoT products) to the network.
Parks Associates says multifamily owners and operators are investing in more comprehensive professional Wi-Fi solutions, which has improved resident satisfaction and is helping to drive future demand.
"Residents receiving modern bulk service now increasingly receive high-speed and reliable connectivity, available at move-in, with a variety of Wi-Fi hotspots available throughout their properties so that they can freely roam without needing to log in multiple times," Hanich adds. "This offers a superior experience to legacy models and has helped to make bulk internet the No. 1 amenity people look for in their next home."
