Page 19 - New England Condominium March 2019

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shifted somewhat toward Netflix and Hulu Condos, gated communities, what have you.... of the agreement for that property, which is
[rather than traditional cable TV]. There's a it's a large part of our footprint across the something a little different than we'd provide for multifamily property owners to make our
lot of competition in the subscription service country. We know that multifamily is a very for a retail environment.”
market. Hulu or YouTube TV, Google... some competitive area today, and created Xfin-
of these offer 40-50 channels live online and ity Communities a few years ago as a specific
are all really cool. With an AppleTV or Roku, team to address this. Over the last few years,
you plug it in, you have a streaming app and we've transformed our service for HOAs, im-
you're good to go. You have individual profiles proving customer service, investing in better amenities and common areas, whether it's residents can still have the ability to custom-
set up for everyone in your household, with network and entertainment solutions... and a pet-friendly space or gym or theater areas, ize their internet speed, TV content and other
all of your favorites and your recorded shows, we launched our X1 entertainment platform, these are becoming almost the norm. And services just the way they want them.”
etc. There's a lot that you can do solely with in-
ternet service without that older cable setup.”
What happens when the majority of an as-
sociation desires a bulk package, but there are night in my apartment on the subway the next
adamant holdouts who insist on sticking with morning via my
cable?
“The bulk deals are for the entirety of the
building. And individual units have the op-
tion to go through another provider, but the
primary cost is for the whole building. Some-
times not everyone will want to be involved,
but that shouldn't necessarily stop the entire
process. Some people just don't like change. segments we ser-
I've been to plenty of condo board meetings vice, wherein an
and seen some horror scenarios, but I've also association has se-
seen great, highly-functional associations. It's lected a single pro-
all about different people and different per-
sonalities. Most people—especially in a condo cided to enter into a
building where they have one of the major multi-year 'wholesale' agreement, where they tomization; everyone wants to personalize to design a custom all-fiber network deploy-
providers and a triple-play phone/internet/
cable package—the rate at which they started specific array of equipment, etc., to the prop-
that service likely does not exist anymore, and erty for the term of that agreement. It's a seg-
that package is not even currently available. So ment we serve very well, and we have specific ing security alerts...when I get home today, for technicians do white-glove installations in
you can save a lot for everyone in the building geographical areas within our footprint in example, I'll pause my Wi-Fi so we can unplug each unit for the residents. Through the use
with a more streamlined bulk package cater-
ing to their current interests and usage.”
Rafael Visbal, Regional Vice President
of Commercial Development at Comcast's
Hollywood, Florida offices
New England Condominium: What does
[Comcast subsidiary] Xfinity offer community
associations that's unique when compared to
products and services for single-family homes
or multifamily rentals?
RV: “Let me start with the big picture. of pricing and service throughout the term
which allows you take your content anywhere when we design technology solutions for
and enjoy it anytime from any device.”
So I could finish the movie I started last
phone?
“Exactly.”
What does your
company offer in
terms of bulk pack-
aging?
“It's one of the
vider and has de-
want to provide video, or video/internet, or a their Wi-Fi experience. Creating profiles for ment for each building that leverages the
Florida where it's embraced more than others. over dinner with my kid. I have all the devices of innovative materials like nearly invisible fi-
In West Palm Beach and Southwest Florida in on a specific profile such that on weeknights at ber systems, we install services in all types of
general, bulk is a very large component of our 11, it all goes down.”
business.
“If the HOA documents permit it, and
there's political will to do something as a
community, we can definitely bring together
what is generally a very customized solution.
We figure that out property to property. And
this creates a very stable predictable model
Are people increasingly expecting Wi-Fi in
common areas?
“It started a few years ago, but there's a est internet and best picture quality TV for
higher level of sophistication in regard to every resident at significant discounts. And
these properties, we definitely have to con-
sider these specific needs and wants, and we
can service specific needs in regard to Wi-Fi,
video outlets, whatever ing entertainment and fast internet connec-
the property requires.
“And it's not just vid-
eo and internet nowa-
days; we're talking home and residents expect to be connected and en-
automation,
sensors,
security... it's almost a service package in those areas. We can also
game of one-upmanship help set up fast wifi services in those common
at this point where ev-
ery new development is and happy.”
trying to do something
more sophisticated than
their competition.
“It's also about cus-
various devices, controlling which are con-
nected to your network at a given time, receiv-
Michael Weston, Senior Executive at Ve-
rizon Enhanced Communities in New York
City
New England Condominium : Are there
telecom packages that can lead to savings for a
multifamily property that commits to a build-
ing-wide installation from a single service pro-
vider?
MW: “Yes. Verizon offers the opportunity
internet and TV a part of what it means to
live in their community. By purchasing on
behalf of all residents, owners ensure the fast-
What do multifamily homes typically seek
in regard to cable/internet/entertainment for
common areas, where that's relevant?
“For most multifamily operators, provid-
tivity in their amenity areas is important to-
day. Those spaces serve as a natural extension
of living spaces in today's modern buildings,
tertained. Verizon can help with the right TV
areas to keep residents and staff connected
Are there any difficulties unique to install-
ing or servicing internet/cable in multifamily
properties?
“We use a staff of professional engineers
architecture of the building to reach all resi-
dents. From there, our team of professional
apartment buildings with a range of solutions
that please even the most exacting residents.”
Dan Haumann, President of Advocate
Property Management in Naperville, Illi-
nois
New England Condominium: How would
you describe your dealings thus far with tele-
com providers in regard to community associa-
“A bulk deal takes the
idea that we all need
internet, whether that
includes cable or (more
rarely) phone.”
— Perry Wasserbauer
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