With the global shift to digital and the lasting impact of the Covid pandemic, reliable, super-fast broadband is an essential asset to every property and something that tenants rightly expect.
Beyond the big established providers, there are some up and coming companies that are aiming to shake up the UK’s broadband market including full fibre broadband provider 4th Utility.
The company’s Chief Digital Officer, Jimmy Acton, works closely with facilities managers (FMs) and managing agents (MAs) across the UK and in this article, he highlights five important points that you should be asking your broadband provider as we head into the new financial year.
1. Understanding the difference between copper and full fibre
If you don’t know what infrastructure your buildings rely on for broadband provision, it’s time to find out. That’s because the UK’s copper network is due to be switched off in 2025 in line with the government’s goal of providing gigabit connectivity across the UK.
While copper cables have been a common solution for many years, this technology is slowly being retired as the market becomes dominated by the new kid on the block – full fibre.
Unlike the thick, vulnerable copper cables, fibre connects directly to properties, which means faster, more reliable internet with less interference, better reach and greater bandwidth. Traditional broadband providers offer fibre to the cabinet (FTTC), which relies on these old copper wires with slow speeds, whereas fibre to the premises (FTTP) is much faster, more reliable and the best possible option your residents could ask for. Neglecting your broadband infrastructure can lead to complaints and unhappy residents when outages happen, which most FMs want to avoid at all costs.
2. Is broadband accessible to all residents?
In unexpected circumstances, such as the Covid pandemic, online access might become the only way for residents to carry out their daily activities or socialise. From working and studying at home to shopping, banking or reaching medical help, broadband is now just as important as the other key utilities like water, gas and electricity.
To ensure everyone can keep up with the fast-moving digital world, some broadband providers are now offering social tariffs
Every FM should keep an eye on social tariffs and check to see if these are available for their residents, as they are a fantastic solution to boost digital inclusion across the UK. They also ensure that residents have the ability to get online to do anything they need to, when they need to.
3. Does your provider offer more than just broadband?
The number of broadband providers available on the market grows constantly. Their services may differ slightly with price, installation fee, support services, contract length or area coverage being important, but speed is one that most people focus on. Beyond the copper vs fibre debate, it’s important to consider what additional support or added value you get from your broadband provider.
In 2023, service and relationships will continue to be crucial and keeping residents happy is an ongoing focus area for FMs. Make sure the provider you have is proactive and genuinely cares about the residents you serve. Even the most advanced technology can sometimes fail, but installation engineers should be always ready to step in and help if there’s ever a problem – and quickly.
4. How easy is it for your residents to get online?
One of the first things a new resident thinks of when they move in is ‘Can I connect to the internet?’ There’s a huge expectation for good infrastructure to underpin broadband, particularly in multiple dwelling units (MDUs).
FMs and MAs want to fill any vacancies they may have and also retain residents to avoid a high turnover rate. The services on offer and what’s in the building are fundamental to that. So it’s important to understand how easy it is for residents to connect to WiFi when they want to.
With full fibre, installs are also much quicker and in some buildings it’s possible to install a small router behind every door if needed.
As well as the customer service and relationship you get from your provider, also make sure you are supported with other marketing information and literature you can share. Many of our sites now have digital noticeboards to help promote broadband and other services that are available for residents, in addition to things like leaflets, flyers, stickers and vinyl.
5. Does your broadband provider help bring your community together?
With increasing demands on digital literacy across the world, the need for connectivity is greater than ever.
In low-income households, broadband might be a gateway to new opportunities, including education possibilities, job vacancies or networking groups. For people facing any challenges in their life, online access can significantly speed up the process of getting support.
If you have shared spaces, community rooms or reception areas that don’t currently have broadband that residents can access, check with your provider to see why. It’s fully possible for broadband providers to offer this and it’s something we’ve been doing in lots of the buildings where we have a presence. It’s a fantastic way to bring the local community together, along with sessions that teach older people how to use their devices. These things come at minimal cost for the network provider, but are of incredible benefit for the community.
I always see FMs as more than just the people who look after the buildings – they have the power to boost residents’ wellbeing and connecting families to broadband can significantly lift the living standard of the community and bring life-changing opportunities. Crucially, speaking to residents about doing something like this is a fantastic way to build stronger relationships and show that you care about their needs.
