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MDU / Multifamily Tech

Q3 2026

Quantified Consumer

Connected Communities: Wi-Fi, IoT, and Resident Experience

Multifamily and planned communities are adopting smart technologies to attract residents and enhance operational efficiency. This study identifies consumer demand for property-provided Wi-Fi, smart home amenities, and resident-facing platforms. It quantifies consumer spending on retail, bulk, and managed Wi-Fi offerings and evaluates the impact of next-generation connectivity benefits, like instant internet activation at move-in, on satisfaction. It also assesses the impact of IoT features on leasing decisions, satisfaction, and retention. The research identifies key use cases—such as access control, automation, and energy savings—and tracks consumer openness to integrated, tech-forward living environments.

This study draws from Parks Associates’ Q1 2026 survey of 8,000 US internet households. The survey is demographically representative of US internet households, with quotas for age, income, and gender.

Key questions addressed:
  1. What is the landscape for bulk and managed Wi-Fi adoption in multifamily properties?
  2. What are the drivers of resident satisfaction and dissatisfaction with bulk internet and Wi-Fi?
  3. How does resident interest in bulk and managed Wi-Fi compare to other amenities?
  4. What is resident preference when it comes to bulk versus retail internet services?
  5. What is the difference in consumer-reported spending on bulk vs. retail internet services?
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Download Table of Contents (PDF)

Executive Summary

Bulk Internet Adoption Among MDU Households

NPS for Bulk vs. Retail Internet in MDUs

Perceptions of Current Home Internet Service

Impact of Internet Service Issues on Intention to Move Homes

Average Customer-Reported Download Speeds

Bulk vs. Retail Download Speeds

Locations for Accessing the Wi-Fi Network in MDUs

Availability of Internet Upgrades by Residence Type

Perceptions of Current Home Internet Service Among Bulk Internet Customers

Internet Adoption Model Among Multifamily Residents

Bulk Internet in Multifamily Communities

Bulk Adoption by Residence Type

Home Internet Payment Method by Residence Type

Average Monthly Spending on Home Internet Service: Bulk vs Retail

Download Speed by Residence Type

Average Customer-Reported Download Speeds

Bulk vs. Retail Download Speeds

Home Internet Net Promoter Scores

NPS for Bulk vs. Retail Internet in MDUs

Problems with MDU Home Internet Services by Bulk vs Retail

Impact of Internet Service Problems on Customer NPS

Impact of Internet Service Issues on Intention to Move Homes

Daily Use of Connected Devices to Access Online Video, Audio, or Games by Residence Type

Wi-Fi Accessibility in Multifamily Communities

Adoption of Property Wi-Fi Among Multifamily Residents

Availability of Wi-Fi in Multifamily Communities

Availability of Property Wi-Fi in Communities by Internet Model

Locations for Accessing the Wi-Fi Network

Locations for Accessing the Wi-Fi Network by Building Type

Connection Process

Resident Onboarding by Residence Type

Bulk Internet Resident Onboarding

Guest Use of Wi-Fi

Guest Access Wi-Fi Method

Availability of Internet Upgrades Among Bulk Internet Recipients by Residence Type

Smart Amenities and Resident Platforms

Penetration of Tested Amenities by Residence Type

Penetration of Tested Amenities in Gated Multifamily Communities

Penetration of Tested Amenities at Properties With Property Wi-Fi

Penetration of Tested Amenities at Properties Without Property Wi-Fi

Property-Provided Smart Home Devices by Residence Type

Number of Tested Devices In Package by Residence Type

Applications Provided to Multifamily Residents by Residence Type

Capabilities Offered by Property Apps: Property-Branded vs. Third-Party

Smart Safety & Security Devices – Resident Owned and Procured

Smart Safety & Security Devices – Property Provided

Smart Energy, Lighting, Water Devices – Resident Owned and Procured

Smart Energy, Lighting, Water Devices – Property Provided

Resident Interest in Wi-Fi vs. Other Resident Amenities

Internet and Connectivity Considerations When Searching for New Home: 2024 vs. 2026

Smart Community Amenity Considerations for New Home

Expected Features in a New Home by Current Residence Type

Interest in Smart Amenities vs. Resident-Reported Adoption

Technology Amenity Fee Penetration by Property Type

Resident Attitudes Towards Internet

Perceptions of Current Home Internet Service Among Bulk vs. Retail Internet Customers

Preference for Tested Speed Packages by Residence Type

Preferred Home Internet Type by Residence Type

Satisfaction with MDU Amenities User Experience

Value of Resident App Features by Residence & Community Type

Concept Testing: Retail vs. Bulk/Managed

Preference for Bulk vs. Retail Internet by Residence Type

Preference for Retail vs. Bulk Internet Models by Residence Type

Preference for Retail vs. Bulk Internet Models by Community Type

Multifamily Market Sizing

Multifamily Market Size by US Region

Market Size Estimates of US Home Internet HHs in Select Regions by Property Type (#M)

Multifamily Building Type by Market

Community Type by Residence Type

Appendix

Published by Parks Associates
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