2010 Buyers Guide - Broadband Properties

cally, when we deploy FiOS, we use a single-family ONT to
get the fiber as close to the end user as possible. But in this
case, that would have meant tearing out some of the drywall
and pulling new fiber drops – we basically would have
had to renovate the renovation. That’s why we went with
the MDU solution here, which works well and provides the
same services that our single-family ONT would.
Have you provided wireless signals within the building? Yes. Residents
who choose FiOS receive a wireless router when service
is enabled, and free Wi-Fi is available in common areas.
In addition, a cellular distributed antenna system provides
3G service to the residents.
How much square footage did you have to dedicate to the network
inside the building? We used a combination of shared and
dedicated closets. In some cases, power and other utilities
took up much of the wall space Verizon needed to install
its gear. When that happened, Southern Management was
very accommodating in providing additional closet space
adjacent to the main utility closets so we could set up our
network. The closets are approximately 6 by 8 feet.
Services
Does the building have triple-play services? Yes
Can residents subscribe to IPTV? FiOS TV service is not IPTV,
though there are IPTV applications with the service –
video on demand, for example. The TV signal is a more
traditional cable application; however, the all-fiber network
is well positioned for IPTV as it becomes a more reliable
source of transmission in the future.
Does the network support IP systems for managing the property?
John Cohan: Southern oversees its internal processes through a
dedicated management system that runs over the fiber network,
and the on-site business office uses the fiber network
for WAN connectivity back to the corporate offices.
Do residents have a choice of service providers? Yes. Comcast is
the incumbent service provider in the area. However, according
to the on-site management team at Oella Mill, the
majority of residents have chosen FiOS service so far.
If residents have an issue or a technical challenge, whom do they
call? Verizon
Business
Who owns the network? Verizon owns the fiber-to-the-premises
network.
Was there a door fee? Door fees/marketing fees are negotiated
between Verizon and the owner based on many factors
associated with the agreement. The fees are proprietary
information.
Are services automatically included in the rent? No.
Who handles billing and collection? Verizon.
How are the services marketed, and by whom? Oella Mill has a
marketing agreement with Verizon, and Verizon works very
closely with Oella’s leasing agents. Verizon FiOS materials
are in the leasing office and a letter from Verizon in Oella’s
welcome kit introduces FiOS services to new residents. The
letter encourages residents to reach out to Julianne Winters,
Verizon’s local marketing account manager. The most
popular Verizon bundle at Oella has been the 25 Mbps
downstream/15 Mbps upstream data service, which comes
with Verizon’s high-definition video offering. A majority of
residents at Oella have HDTVs.
What has the return been on this implementation?
John Cohan: The return has been difficult to quantify, but
Southern’s goal has been to provide luxury apartment
homes in a unique, historic setting without skimping on
modern amenities. Giving residents a choice of fiber optic
data services ensures the community has the technology
30 | BROADBAND PROPERTIES | www.broadbandproperties.com | November/December 2009