Navigating Commercial Real Estate Connectivity Trends: Insights from Javier Jugo at Xfinity

We are looking forward to our upcoming Mid-Market Summit event on Thursday, May 29  and wanted to take the time to speak with premier sponsor Javier Jugo from Xfinity ahead of the event. 

Kiser Group: What are some of the current trends in multi-dwelling unit (MDU) housing, and how is Xfinity keeping up with those trends? 

Current trends include a strong market demand for integrating technology into property amenities and resident communication, in addition to a continued appetite for innovative bulk high-speed data offerings. That’s why Comcast invests so heavily in building Internet capacity, not just to meet our customers’ current needs, but to stay well ahead of future demand and business trends.  

Connectivity is the center of our customers’ lives, so we’ve built a network that delivers both gigabit+ speeds and wall-to-wall WiFi coverage and includes millions of WiFi hotspots that give customers Internet access both at home and on the go. Our Managed Wifi service provides Internet connectivity throughout the entire property – from individual units to common areas-– giving residents reliable Internet access wherever they are on the property.  

Kiser Group: What are some of the most important considerations that property owners should keep in mind when selecting a provider for their connectivity services? 

The strength of the network infrastructure, reliability of the service, and the customer experience should be top of mind when choosing a connectivity provider. To these ends, Comcast has invested $1.4 billion in its network in Illinois alone within the last three years to increase speeds and reliability while providing an even easier customer experience.  

Additionally, our Connected Building offering is a seamless way for property owners to provide residents with active Internet service upon a resident’s move-in day with pre-installed equipment as well as a dedicated network for property staff.  

Another important consideration is evaluating whether the Internet service can integrate within your property management company software. Both of our Connected Building and Managed WiFi offerings accomplish this, allowing properties to simply enter basic resident information to interact with our platform – allowing the property to access each unit’s service, which serves as a tremendous benefit during resident move-in/move-out windows.  

Kiser Group: How does Xfinity help property owners overcome challenges when it comes to providing connectivity services to their residents?  

We partner directly with properties from the design phase all the way to implementation, to ensure they feel confident that they’re making the best financial and operational choices for their residents and businesses. The breadth and depth of services we provide to customers helps us design solutions that meet the property’s specific needs, and our certified sales engineers assist in taking a consultative approach – we never just deploy service and walk away from the property.  

Kiser Group: How do you stay up-to-date with changes in technology and the needs of your clients, and how do you incorporate that knowledge into your services? 

Our goal is to set the industry standard when it comes to being the Internet solution of choice. Our network can deliver symmetrical multi-gigabit speeds and we invest significantly to stay future-ready. In addition, we design much of our own technology – everything from our modems to the Xfinity voice remote is made in-house. Our focus on network infrastructure and technology provides owners and operators with a competitive edge and pleasant experience when managing their properties. 

Kiser Group: Finally, what advice would you give to property owners and managers who are looking to improve their buildings’ connectivity offerings and stay ahead of the competition in this rapidly-evolving market? 

We have seen so many changes in both the industry and the needs of our customers in the last 60 years and evolved alongside them. We recommend selecting a service provider that invests in its own network infrastructure, has a significant local presence, is financially sound and has a long history within the community. In addition, consider Internet providers that have an array of services, from Internet to TV to mobile, that can offer even more value and options to residents. Lastly, consider a provider that has experienced, tenured employees who can help you design a customized solution that fits your and your residents’ needs.