What do you charge for WiFi?

Question

We're looking into providing wireless internet at several apartment properties. The setup cost per property is about $12,000. After the 1-time setup cost, monthly cost will be $200-$300 per property, or $5-$8 per apartment. Tenants are currently paying $60-100/mo for their own internet service, but some are sharing with their neighbors to bring the cost down. So, what do you charge your tenants for wifi? We're thinking around $18 per apartment, but curious what other landlords are doing.

Thanks for helping!

PS - If you can recommend a wireless system that works well for apartments (and allows us to restrict login, so not anyone can use it) please let me know! Smallest property is 20 units, 1 acre, largest is 53 units and about 10 acres.

Thanks for helping!

PS - If you can recommend a wireless system that works well for apartments (and allows us to restrict login, so not anyone can use it) please let me know!  Smallest property is 20 units, 1 acre, largest is 53 units and about 10 acres.

Account Closed · Answer

Before you spend all that money on WIFi, you should check to see how many tenants will buy the service.

Joe Gore

Account Closed · Answer

@Chris K.

When the Internet providers set up WIFi for any business, the tenants will have a 800 number to call to solve the problems with the Internet provider. If you are at Motel 6, you don't call the front desk you call the Internet provider.

Joe Gore

Chris K. · Answer

Are you doing this for profit or just to add an amenity to make you more competative?

Whomever answers the phones at your offices will need to prepare to take on the role as technical helpdesk becasue anytime anyone has a problem or they don't know how to work it they're going to be calling you to fix it. I used to manage the wifi for a tenants at a shopping mall and we were the first person they called at the first sign of a problem (ie a website was down so they thought it was a problem with the wifi).

It sounds like they already have their own or are working with neighbors to get access. I wouldn't spend that much money pursuing something that's not much of a problem and especially something that you're going to have to manage.

Just food for thought.....

David Tomich · Answer

Definitely agree @Joe Gore .  I'm sending out a tenant newsletter with a questionnaire for that reason.  But need to give tenants a monthly cost estimate so they can decide if they're interested or not :)

David Tomich · Answer

Thanks @Paul Granneman.  Do you provide wireless to your tenants?  What do you charge?  Our setup cost is around $12,000 for the larger properties.

Paul Granneman · Answer

For robust and scalable wireless service provisioning check out Ruckus Networks.  http://www.ruckuswireless.com/

Determine what your initial cost will be and then charge for the appropriate level of service.

What do you charge for WiFi?

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