For a new building development, offering residents the products and services of the future is crucial. Whether the building embodies the latest in architectural design, encompasses ‘green’ building features or boasts automated and high-tech systems, having a market leading service will increase its value. So why shouldn’t your building have the best internet service?
We know the demand for high-speed internet is growing. A study from Telsyte last year found Australian residences have an average of 11 internet-connect devices, predicted to rise in coming years to 29. That’s 29 devices that are connected to the internet, and 29 devices per tenant for potentially a couple hundred units.
But what should a developer look for when installing the network in a building? Here are 5 key points for selecting internet options in building developments that will assist in the decision making.
#1 – NBN or an alternative
While previously unavailable for most Australians, one in two properties in Australia are now “nbn ready”.
A significant aspect in deciding whether to choose the NBN’s infrastructure over another fibre provider is that of cost. According to NBN Corporation, the NBN will charge a one-off Deployment Contribution of $400-$600 per unit to Developers, in addition to a Backhaul contribution if NBN network backhaul is not already available.
This can be a high cost of development. In addition to these costs, the NBN also charges $300 per unit to service providers for each new connection – which typically is passed on to end users.
These fees apply to a building if it is registered as ‘Greenfield’, a new development where Fibre to Premises (FTTP) is being deployed, as opposed to a ‘Brownfield’ registration, where a building has existing cabling present.
VostroNet is an alternative telecommunication carrier that deploys fibre to buildings. VostroNet will engage with building owners, providing them with more control over the process and offer more flexibility for the residents and managers. Likewise, upfront installation costs for building entry may be covered by the provider.
#2 – Wholesale distribution
For a multi-dwelling unit with a large number of tenants, a network provider may offer a wholesale distribution. This has the benefit of lowering prices for the tenant, as a bulk supply can drive the costs down.
For a new building, VostroNet will work with our Retail Service Providers and the Developer; distributing the internet to the tenants for a set price. Different options are available to capture additional recurring income and provide high quality and high-speed solutions at a lower cost based on buying power.
#3 – A future-proof infrastructure
With its ability to reach speeds above 10,000 Mbps, as well as its ability to have its capacity upgraded, optic-fibre is the future of the fast internet; however, the question of optic fibre or microwave comes up? Here are the key points of comparison between the two:
Microwave in contrast generally offers speeds of between 1 to 50 Mbps to users, which is dependant on the number of users within the building. Our previous article on Microwave vs Fibre discusses this in more detail.
More recently the topic of 5G has also surfaced as a potential replacement for fixed services for residential. Future networks such as 5G may increase wireless networks to 1 Gbps but fall short by almost 10-fold when compared to the capacity of optic-fibre. The idea of not having any fixed lines or services in a building is exciting; however, their cost, coverage and ability to provide service as a replacement technology are still quite a while off.
They still also need fibre to run each tower and to a lot more towers to provide the quality or would falter under the load. By the time 5G has caught up, in building networks will still be needed for the service to offload to when at home for higher demand content.
#4 – Value-adding for the end consumer
Ensuring your tenants receive the highest quality of service is crucial in adding value to the development. Choosing a network provider which offers value-adding features such as free wi-fi to common areas, affordable plans, no lock-in contracts and 24/7/365 customer support, will ensure tenant satisfaction long-term.
Users want to be connected right away! Under an NBN installation, there can be a delay in getting users online, a result of network deployment delays in new buildings or technology hold (such as the Hybrid Co-axial Fibre), or delays in the retail service provider organising connection of the service.
VostroNet reduces and prevents onboarding delay by having control over the network; ensuring the end user can sign-up to the service provider on move-in day.
#5 – Selecting the right service for adequate data consumption
The timing to adopt high-speed fibre is now more critical than ever, with the Ookla Speed Test Global Index ranked Australia as 56th in the world for fixed broadband as of February 2018.
In comparison, a study by CoWorker.com found that the highest ranking country for internet speeds was Singapore with a whopping download speed average of 199.62 Mbps. In light of the increasing number of devices per household, as evidenced in the Telsyte study, end users are looking for higher quantities of data. Especially given high data demanding video options such as Netflix, Stan and YouTube and rapidly expanding streaming gaming console market. Speeds of between 8-100 Mbps (Or 27.5 and 10.04 as the case for Australia) just won’t be able to keep up with consumer demand.
Choosing a high-speed infrastructure with unlimited data for your tenants will ensure your building has a leading network service for years to come.
The VostroNet Network
VostroNet acts as an alternative to the nbn by offering a high-speed, dedicated dark fibre network to residential tower precincts, student accommodation, hotels and public wi-fi.
We can enter both new and existing developments alongside or as an alternative to the NBN service, offering a wholesale distribution of our network. You don’t have to wait to experience the future of high-speed internet.
VostroNet’s high-speed dark fibre can reach speeds of up to 10,000 Mbps and be installed in your building today.
