Internet connectivity is a “must have” for people today. So it’s no surprise that more than 70 percent of multifamily housing residents surveyed recently cited pre-installed Wi-Fi solutions as an important amenity when moving into a new apartment or condominium, according to the 2020 NMHC/Kingsley Associates Apartment Resident Preferences Report.
WiFi Ready is a solution where Comcast pre-installs Xfinity xFi Gateway modems providing up to Gig-speed wireless connectivity in each multifamily unit in a secure media panel. New residents moving into these multifamily properties can connect to the internet in minutes and add other services like the award-winning Xfinity X1 TV platform, Xfinity Voice, Xfinity Mobile and Xfinity Home – before they even unpack boxes.
“Properties with WiFi Ready remove a major pain point for residents and property managers alike – having to schedule and wait for a service appointment,” said Sean Lennon, senior director for Individual Direct Sales for Comcast’s Beltway Region. “With WiFi Ready, we are helping customers instantly connect to the fastest in-home Wi-Fi experience.”
Residents simply rent and connect to their pre-installed modem powered by xFi – a simple, digital dashboard for Xfinity customers to control their home Wi-Fi network. In addition to parental control features like pausing Wi-Fi and screen time scheduling, xFi also comes with xFi Advanced Security so all connected devices are protected from malware and other security threats. Residents with a video package can immediately access live and on demand content via the Xfinity Stream app, depending on the package they purchase. Although the modem is pre-installed, residents who prefer to use their own modem can do so by plugging it into any coax outlet in their unit.
Kimi Wong, property manager at the Ella Scott’s Addition, a WiFi Ready property in Richmond, Va., agreed. “High-speed internet is a crucial feature when residents are making housing decisions. WiFi Ready has greatly benefited our brand-new community. It is a bonus amenity to apartment homes and one less stressor for our future residents.”
To add to the positive experience, when a resident moves out, the disconnect process is just as easy as sign-up. Customers call to transfer their service to a new residence and Comcast’s Xfinity Communities handles the rest. Comcast also resets the gateway so it is ready for the next individual or family moving into the unit. That way, property managers don’t need to worry about the return of any equipment. “Ultimately, we’re giving residents what they want and making building owners’ and managers’ lives easier,” said Lennon.
WiFi Ready has been adopted in senior living communities as well as luxury and mixed-income properties. To date, Comcast has 56 WiFi Ready properties in its Beltway Region, with 31 in Virginia, 14 in Maryland, nine in Washington, D.C., and two in Delaware.
New residents can set up services in minutes by calling 1-800-XFINITY or going to xfinity.com/WIFIready to rent and activate their xFi modem.