By James Bettencourt, Ensure Protect 

Consumer households today rely on a growing array of connected devices to support work, learning, entertainment, safety, and daily life. As connectivity expands across broadband, energy, home security, and property-management systems, connected device dependency continues to deepen. Yet despite this growth, support for consumer- or resident-owned connected devices remains fragmented, inconsistent, and operationally challenging for the providers and property operators who sit closest to the customer relationship.

In multifamily communities, tenants bring five to twelve connected devices into every unit, creating a digital footprint that is essential to their daily routines. Internet Service Providers face rising customer expectations for flawless connectivity, regardless of device configuration or condition. Energy and utility companies increasingly find their customer experience shaped by the performance of smart meters, apps, and user-controlled devices. Home security vendors must navigate a broad range of home network environments — many of which are not part of their own hardware ecosystem.

Across these sectors, one trend is clear: the connected device technology environment is more complex than ever, yet the expectation for frictionless support continues to rise.
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The Growing Gap Between Device Dependence and Support Capabilities

Consumers expect connected devices to “just work.” When a connected device breaks or fails, the frustration is immediate. Issues often translate into misdirected customer-service calls and support requests to providers — even when the underlying issue lies with the consumer’s own equipment.

For organizations in the categories of multifamily operators, ISPs, energy & utility providers, and home security companies this ‘just work’ dynamic shows up as unnecessary support calls, maintenance tickets, truck rolls, and perceived dissatisfaction with the property’s connectivity or services. 

The challenge is structural: the providers noted are not equipped to troubleshoot or repair the vast diversity of consumer-owned connected.
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A New Approach: Bundled Managed Device Protection 

Ensure Protect is addressing this gap through a bundled device protection and service model for providers. Rather than expecting providers or property operators to support connected devices a customer brings into their household, Ensure Protect’s centrally managed program handles:

• Enrollment and device registration
• Service request intake and triage
• Repair, replacement, or reimbursement
• Logistics, communication, and service transparency

This model covers a wide range of connected consumer devices — smartphones, tablets, laptops, gaming systems, smart TVs, wearables, and personal networking equipment — enabling a consistent, dependable experience regardless of brand or point of purchase.

The value is shared across all stakeholders. Consumers receive fast, predictable service. Providers reduce misdirected calls & support requests. On a strategic level, providers gain a lifestyle solution and offer that enhances loyalty and supports recurring-revenue models. Consumers gain by having a bundled service plan for connected devices (regardless of brand), while saving in the costs associated with fragmented service plans.

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Flexible Revenue Models for MDUs, ISPs, Energy, and Security Providers

One of the strongest advantages of a bundled device protection framework is its adaptability. Providers can integrate bundles in ways that align with their brand & customer experience strategy:

• Included Bundle: A connected device protection bundle is included as an added service/amenity and is packaged with the provider’s monthly recurring billing. This drives predictable ARPU or NOI uplift & provider loyalty. Further add-on bundles can provide added consumer protection & provider monetization.
• Optional Add-On: Similar benefits, but in this case customers/tenants can enroll/opt-in bundles offered through existing provider web/app portals or billing systems. 
• Promoted Offering: Providers highlight the value of protection plans while allowing customers to engage directly with Ensure Protect on available bundles & coverage.

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Connected Device Reliability Is Becoming a Core Expectation

As consumer connected device ecosystems in the home expand, the burden of ensuring reliable experiences increasingly falls on the companies/providers that deliver connectivity, energy, security, and housing. Bundled connected device protection helps close the operational gap between what consumers expect and what providers can realistically support.

Consumers benefit from a seamless, automated experience that resolves technology failures quickly. Providers benefit from reduced operational noise, improved satisfaction, and stronger customer lifetime value. In environments like multifamily housing — where connected device lifestyle experiences directly influence leasing velocity and retention — this layer of protection will rapidly become a key differentiator.

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Looking Ahead: CONNECTIONS™ Summit at CES 2026

Ensure Protect is proud to sponsor the CONNECTIONS™ Summit at CES 2026, hosted by Parks Associates on January 6, 2026 in Las Vegas. The event brings together leaders across broadband, energy, security, smart-home, and multifamily to examine emerging trends and explore new frameworks for connected living.

“Consumers today interact with a smorgasbord of connected devices across their home ecosystem.” said Jeffrey Guymon, VP of IoT & Connected Devices at Ensure Protect. “We see bundled connected device protection as a core service which immediately saves consumers time & money, while improving service outcomes. Providers can offer connected device protection for consumer’s connected devices without operational complexity, adding value & revenue streams. It truly is a win-win.”

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Conclusion

Continued complexity in the connected home is entering a new phase where digital reliability and device continuity on consumer’s connected devices are fundamental expectations. Bundled device protection provides a practical, scalable, & frictionless way forward — supporting the consumer and the provider in equal measure.

Ensure Protect looks forward to advancing this conversation at CES 2026 and continuing to collaborate across industries to strengthen the connected-living experience for millions of households.