Providing Market Intelligence for 40 Years

In The News

Old apartment buildings have some big broadband infrastructure problems

A majority (82%) of multi-dwelling units (MDUs) over 10 years old report internet connectivity challenges, according to a recent study from Comcast’s Xfinity Communities in collaboration with Parks Associates.

Issues include maintaining device connections over a Wi-Fi network and insufficient bandwidth, which can be difficult to fix due to the infrastructure of older apartment buildings, said Jennifer Kent, VP of research at Parks Associates.

She explained that unlike newer MDUs, these buildings were built without suitable wiring or the infrastructure to run new wiring. Older MDUs may have thicker walls or various types of building materials.

“So they might be looking at the cost of having to run all new wire throughout the building…which is obviously very cost-intensive,” she said.

Average internet spending MDUsAccording to Kent, apartment residents that pay for internet as part of their rent or through their property manager tend to spend less than those with a retail plan. Parks Associates found MDU residents with a bulk internet arrangement pay around $40 per month, compared to $64 per month for retail internet.

Parks Associates noted these figures are “standalone” service prices, meaning these are residents who don’t have add-ons like pay TV or mobile bundled with their internet.

From the article, "Old apartment buildings have some big broadband infrastructure problems" by Masha Abarinova 

Previously In The News

CuriosityStream boosts revenue by licensing IP to train LLMs

The eighth annual Parks Associates “Future of Video” event this week featured a roster of executive decision makers from across the video business, mostly describing a maturing streaming industry grap...

Vivint Introduces HomeProtect and HomeProtect Pro, Empowering Everyone to Live in Safer, Smarter, More Efficient Homes

According to leading industry analyst Parks Associates, nearly one-third of consumers turn to professionals after failing at DIY installation and 44% of smart homeowners have used professional ins...

Parks: Netflix Returns Atop U.S. SVOD Services in Subscribers

Netflix has supplanted Prime Video as the No. 1 subscription streaming VOD service in subscribers, according to new data from Parks Associates, based on estimated numbers of subscribers through Se...

Understanding Renters’ Connectivity Expectations in Apartments

Parks Associates emphasizes that for apartments to remain attractive to prospective renters, property owners will need to reevaluate their connectivity strategies continuously. The ability to quickly...