Managed Wi-Fi's Day of Reckoning

Bulk and Managed Wi-Fi is one of the hottest areas of multifamily tech today. But can it survive an FCC crackdown?

Managed Wi-Fi has emerged as one of the most interesting—and lucrative—technology segments for multifamily owners over the past five years. In a world where proptech solutions often overpromise and underdeliver, managed Wi-Fi has grown into a reliable source of incremental revenue; the most recent 20for20 survey of multifamily owners identified managed Wi-Fi as one of the leading technology trends of 2024 with a significant majority of owners either actively rolling it out or giving it serious consideration.

In theory, managed Wi-Fi makes tremendous sense for apartment owners and tenants alike. Internet, after all, has become an essential utility much like power and water. Apartment operators don’t force tenants to install their own breaker boxes, so why should tenants be expected to futz with their own modems and Wi-Fi routers?

Unfortunately, the FCC does not agree. In early March, the commission announced their intent to ban “bulk billing” arrangements for internet in multi-tenant spaces—such as multifamily and retail—a proposal that threatens to transform how managed Wi-Fi operates today and return the industry to the era of retail service and tenants fumbling with personal routers.

Today’s letter dives into in the crisis facing managed Wi-Fi, exploring:

• The history and evolution of internet in multifamily buildings;

• The FCC’s proposal and process;

• The battle lines and what’s at stake;

• The future of the managed Wi-Fi sector and where things might go from here.

Read on for more…