Parks Associates: Managed connectivity now central to multifamily resident experience

DALLAS—A new white paper from Parks Associates, developed in partnership with Calix, argues that managed connectivity has evolved beyond basic internet access and is becoming critical infrastructure for modern multifamily communities, supporting everything from smart home technologies to cybersecurity and resident satisfaction. 

The report, “Beyond Connectivity: Securing the Modern Resident Experience,” examines how multifamily property owners can use managed connectivity platforms to support connected devices, bandwidth-intensive applications, building operations and future digital services while improving the overall resident experience.

“Managed connectivity gives multifamily properties an opportunity to think beyond simply providing internet access,” said Elizabeth Parks, president and chief marketing officer of Parks Associates. “The network is the foundation for a broader resident experience, supporting work, entertainment, smart home devices, security, and new digital services. Reliability, simplicity and security are critical as these environments become more connected.”

According to the research, resident expectations continue to rise as connected technology becomes more deeply integrated into everyday life. Residents increasingly expect internet service to be available immediately upon move-in, perform reliably across multiple devices, provide strong coverage throughout a property and help protect personal information and connected home systems. 

The report identifies several trends driving investment in managed connectivity solutions: 

• The average U.S. household has approximately 17 connected devices. 
• Forty-nine percent of U.S. internet households own at least one smart home device. 
• Twenty-nine percent of consumers ages 65 to 74 and 25% of those 75 and older are interested in smart amenity packages, including video doorbells, smart locks, thermostats and safety monitoring devices. 
• Residents with in-unit routers or gateways report fewer technical issues and higher internet satisfaction scores than residents relying on shared gateways. 
• Users of whole-home cybersecurity services report a Net Promoter Score of 46 for their home internet provider. 

The report suggests connectivity and cybersecurity are becoming increasingly important factors in resident satisfaction, retention and property value.

“As digital experiences continue to be an essential part of everyday life, connectivity and cybersecurity will increasingly influence resident satisfaction, retention, and property value,” said Jess Parsons, area vice president of marketing at Calix. “The multifamily opportunity is no longer simply to connect residents. It's to help property owners create trusted, connected experiences for a more digital, AI-driven world while reducing operational friction and strengthening the value of their communities.”

Researchers also pointed to operational benefits, particularly during the move-in process. Instant-on connectivity can eliminate installation appointments and equipment delays, allowing residents to connect devices immediately upon occupancy.

The report recommends that multifamily operators focus on network reliability, prioritize the in-unit networking experience, simplify activation, provide visible support resources and build resident trust through transparency and cybersecurity measures.

As smart home adoption and connected-device usage continue to grow, the authors conclude that managed connectivity is becoming a foundational element of next-generation multifamily communities and the future delivery of resident services. 

Related: Parks Associates: Security continues to drive smart home subscription revenues