Bulk Managed WiFi Impact Study
The Bulk Managed Wi-Fi Economic Impact Study
The Data the Industry Needs to Protect Managed WiFi
State legislators are advancing policies that threaten managed WiFi framing restrictions as “pro consumer” while ignoring the economic harm to the residents they claim to protect. Maravedis is building the evidence base to fight back and protect hundreds of millions of $ in value generated by bulk managed Wi-Fi.
12-Week Study
Independent Research
Advocacy Toolkit
6 Economic Dimensions
Webinar Replay: Evidence for Policymakers: Assessing Multifamily Managed WiFi's Economic Value
Current Contributers
- Elauwit Connection Inc.
- Wibuz
- CalBroadband
Why Fund This Research
Restrictive Legislation Is Spreading Across America
State legislatures are advancing laws that restrict bulk WiFi arrangements often under the banner of “consumer choice” while ignoring the substantial economic harm these policies inflict on the most vulnerable populations.
Opt-Out Mandates
Requirements forcing landlords to let tenants decline bundled internet undermining the economies of scale that enable bulk pricing discounts.
Open Access Requirements
“Open access” laws forcing property owners to allow any ISP to install infrastructure, creating redundant parallel systems throughout buildings.
Markup Restrictions
Caps limiting what property owners can charge above cost (e.g., 2% or $10 maximum) reducing investment incentives and service quality.
Infrastructure Mandates
Requirements that new ISPs install their own wiring rather than sharing existing infrastructure multiplying deployment costs and building disruption.
The Legislation Is Already Here
Markup Restrictions
Opt-out mandate effective January 2026. Tenants may deduct subscription costs from rent.
Colorado (HB 23-1095)
2% markup cap + open access mandate. New providers must install separate infrastructure.
More States Coming
Similar bills advancing nationwide. Without data, the industry is fighting blind.
Janus Norman
President & CEO, California Broadband & Video Association
If we had had the economic data, our ability to challenge AB 1414 would have been greatly enhanced. The threat is real. Being prepared — so that ISPs and property owners can come together — is critical to warding off the spread of legislation like this to other states
Taylor P. Jones
President and CTO, Elauwit Connection Inc
Managed Wi-Fi is no longer just a perk; it is the central nervous system of the modern apartment community. While we know that high-speed, managed bulk broadband elevates the resident experience and creates a clear competitive advantage, the market needs independent, empirical research to quantify this value. We strongly support funding this study to provide operators and owners with the definitive data required to navigate the future of multifamily technology.
Scott McGee
Founder & President, Connext Strategies
Bulk managed Wi-Fi is more than a tech decision; it’s an economic one. It affects resident costs, property performance, infrastructure strategy, and how well a building can support modern PropTech. If states are going to consider restricting these models, the conversation needs real data, not assumptions. Independent research gives owners and operators something solid to stand on.”
Dan Myers
Founder/CEO Dojo Networks
Bulk managed Wi-Fi is the most affordable way to deliver reliable broadband at scale in dense housing—especially for affordable, student, conventional/luxury, and senior communities where cost and simplicity matter. When connectivity is treated as shared infrastructure, residents get better performance, faster support, and more predictable costs, while properties avoid the inefficiency and disruption of multiple overlapping installs. We need a data-driven policy that recognizes what managed Wi-Fi truly enables in modern multifamily living.
Deliverables
Rigorous Research to Counter the Narrative
A comprehensive 12-week economic analysis quantifying the true value of managed WiFi providing the evidence base needed to demonstrate that “pro-consumer” policies often harm the residents they claim to protect.
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Comprehensive Research Report
50-70 page analysis with detailed methodology, findings, and policy implications
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Executive Summary Brief
4-6 page policymaker-ready document for legislative testimony and media
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Digital Equity Impact Analysis
Documenting harms to affordable, student, and senior housing populations
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Regulatory Scenario Modeling
Economic projections under 5 different regulatory frameworks
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Presentation Deck
20-25 slide deck ready for stakeholder briefings and hearings
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Evidence-Based Advocacy
Authoritative, defensible findings no single company could produce alone
Research Scope
Six Critical Dimensions of Economic Value
The study will quantify managed WiFi’s total economic contribution across every dimension that matters from resident savings to environmental impact.
01
Resident Cost Savings & Digital Equity
Quantifying 20-40% cost reductions and barrier-free access that benefit affordable, student, and senior housing most.
02
Infrastructure Efficiency
Calculating avoided costs from redundant wiring, duplicate truck rolls, and building damage when multiple ISPs install parallel systems.
03
Professional Network Performance
Assessing the performance advantages of a professionally installed and managed Wi-Fi network deployed throughout the property including consistent coverage and proactive interference management
04
Environmental Sustainability
Quantifying energy savings, water conservation, and e-waste reduction enabled by IoT-connected buildings.
05
PropTech Enablement
Valuing smart access controls, security systems, and building management technologies dependent on always on connectivity.
06
Regulatory Scenario Modeling
Projecting economic outcomes under opt-out mandates, open access requirements, markup restrictions, and infrastructure rules.
Research Team
Led by Industry-Recognized Experts
This research initiative brings together decades of telecommunications expertise and economic analysis from two of the industry’s most respected voices.
Project Leader
Adlane Fellah
CWTS, CWNA
Chief Analyst, Maravedis Research
Adlane Fellah is the Chief Analyst at Maravedis Research, a leading wireless analyst firm he founded in 2002. He has authored numerous landmark reports on wireless convergence and managed connectivity across multiple industries. A recognized thought leader, Mr. Fellah is frequently invited to speak at major wireless and connectivity conferences and to contribute to influential industry publications. He also serves as a long-standing judge for several prestigious telecommunications awards.
Principal Economist
Dr. Raul Katz
Ph.D., M.S. MIT
President, Telecom Advisory Services, LLC
Dr. Raul Katz holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and Management Science, and an M.S. in Communications Technology and Policy from MIT, along with advanced degrees from the University of Paris and University of Paris-Sorbonne. He worked at Booz Allen Hamilton for 20 years as Lead Partner in the Telecommunications Practice in the Americas and member of the firm’s Leadership Team. After retiring from Booz Allen, he founded Telecom Advisory Services LLC in 2006. Dr. Katz is also Director of Business Strategy Research at the Columbia Institute for Tele-Information at Columbia Business School and Visiting Professor at the Telecommunications Management Graduate Program at the University of San Andrés (Argentina).
Juan Jung
Ph.D. and M.A. in Economics, University of Barcelona (Spain), BA in Economics, University of the Republic (Uruguay). Dr. Jung is a Senior Economist at Telecom Advisory Services, specialized in the telecommunications and digital industries.
Fernando Callorda
B.A. and M.A. in Economics from the University of San Andres (Argentina). Mr. Callorda is a project manager with Telecom Advisory Services, LLC
Ramiro Valencia
B.S. in Electrical and Telecommunications Engineering from the Escuela Politécnica Nacional (Ecuador) and M.A. in Development Economics, FLACSO (Ecuador).
Timeline
12-Week Project Schedule & Milestones
A structured engagement delivering rigorous analysis through six carefully planned phases, from kickoff to final deliverables.
I
WEEKS 1–2
Project Initiation & Scoping
Establishing the research framework, defining analytical boundaries, and conducting initial stakeholder interviews. Includes alignment on key economic variables, data source identification, and confirmation of regulatory scenarios to be modeled across all six impact dimensions.
II
WEEKS 3–5
Data Collection & Benchmarking
Compilation and analysis of primary and secondary data, infrastructure cost benchmarking, network performance analysis, and digital equity assessment across relevant housing segments.
III
WEEKS 6–8
Economic Modeling & Scenario Evaluation
IV
WEEKS 9–10
Drafting & Interim Review
Preparation of draft deliverables and presentation of preliminary findings; internal quality assurance review.
V
WEEKS 11
Review & Refinement
Incorporation of client feedback, analytical refinements, and finalization of conclusions.
VI
WEEK 12
Final Delivery & Close-Out
Submission of final written deliverables, presentation materials, and supporting analytical documentation; formal project close-out.
Project Investment
Transparent Budget Breakdown
Every dollar funds rigorous, independent research. Here’s exactly how your investment will be allocated across the six project phases.
PHASE
DESCRIPTION
INVESTMENT (USD)
1
Project Initiation & Scoping
$45,000
2
Data Collection & Benchmarking
$80,000
3
Economic Modeling & Scenario Evaluation
$120,000
4
Drafting & Interim Review
$55,000
5
Review & Refinement
$10,000
6
Final Delivery & Close-Out
$10,000
Total Project Investment
$320,000
🚀 Milestone 1: $150,000 — Research begins once this funding threshold is reached. Minimum contribution: $5,000.
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Guarantees: Your Investment Is Protected
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Funds Held in Escrow
All contributions are securely held in escrow until Milestone 1 ($150,000) is reached.
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100% Refund Guarantee
If we do not reach the $150,000 threshold to start the research, all funds are returned in full—no questions asked.
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Zero Risk to Fund
Your contribution only gets deployed once the research is guaranteed to proceed.
Stakeholders
Who Should Fund This Research
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ISPs & MSPs
Protect your multifamily business model from regulatory disruption
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Property Owners & REITs
Defend infrastructure investments and resident amenities
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PropTech Companies
Ensure the connectivity foundation your products require
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Industry Associations
Arm your members with authoritative advocacy resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need To Know
Answer about the industory-funded economic study on managed WiFi in U.S. multifamily housing. how to contribute, and what to expect.
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About the Study
What is this study about?
This is a comprehensive economic impact assessment of the total economic impact of having single provider managed WiFi (bulk billing) in U.S. multifamily housing. It will quantify the total economic value of managed connectivity across multiple dimensions — resident savings, infrastructure efficiency, network performance, digital equity, environmental impact, PropTech enablement, and productivity gains — to provide the evidence base needed to inform policy debates as states increasingly consider restricting these models.
Why is this study needed right now?
The regulatory threat is immediate and growing. California’s AB 1414 took effect January 2026, mandating tenant opt-out rights for bulk-billed internet. Colorado has enacted both markup restrictions (HB 23-1095) and open access requirements (HB 24-1334). Similar legislation is pending in multiple other states. No authoritative economic study exists to quantify what these “pro-consumer” policies actually cost residents, especially vulnerable populations. Without defensible evidence, the industry cannot effectively counter these legislative efforts before they spread further.
What exactly will the study measure?
The research will quantify economic impacts across five channels:
- Consumer surplus — cost savings for residents vs. retail broadband (typically 20–40%), plus eliminated fees, credit barriers, and day-one connectivity value
- Producer surplus — property owner ROI, MSP economics, and ISP business model sustainability under various regulatory scenarios
- Infrastructure efficiency — avoided costs from redundant wiring, duplicative truck rolls, and parallel equipment installations
- GDP & productivity contribution — economic output from reliable connectivity enabling remote work, telehealth, and education
- Externalities & spillovers — digital equity impacts on affordable/student/senior housing, environmental benefits from IoT-enabled building management, and reduced e-waste
All estimates will be benchmarked against clearly defined counterfactual scenarios representing outcomes without managed WiFi.
What will the deliverables include?
Six comprehensive deliverables, all designed for use in legislative testimony, regulatory proceedings, and industry advocacy:
- Comprehensive Research Report (50–70 pages) — full methodology, quantified findings, and policy implications
- Executive Summary Brief (4–6 pages) — decision-maker-oriented, suitable for policymaker distribution and media
- Digital Equity Impact Analysis — standalone assessment of harms to affordable, student, and senior housing populations
- Regulatory Framework & Scenario Analysis — comparative evaluation applicable to any state’s proposed legislation
- Technical Data Appendix — detailed calculations, data sources, and replicable methodology for regulatory scrutiny
- Stakeholder Presentation Deck (20–25 slides) — for conferences, hearings, and stakeholder briefings
How long will the research take?
The study follows a 12-week timeline from kickoff to final delivery: Weeks 1–2 for project initiation, framework design, and stakeholder interviews; Weeks 3–5 for data collection and benchmarking; Weeks 6–8 for economic modeling and scenario evaluation; Weeks 9–10 for draft report and interim review; Week 11 for client review and refinement; and Week 12 for final delivery and close-out. Work begins once the $150,000 funding milestone is reached.
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Research Team & Methodology
Who is conducting the study?
The study is a joint effort between two organizations:
- Maravedis Research — independent wireless infrastructure analyst firm founded in 2002, led by Chief Analyst Adlane Fellah (MBA, CWNA, CWTS). Maravedis is the premier source for multifamily connectivity research, having published landmark reports on managed WiFi, MDU connectivity trends, and affordable housing broadband.
- Telecom Advisory Services, LLC (TAS) — led by Dr. Raul Katz (Ph.D., MIT), Director of Business Strategy Research at the Columbia Institute for Tele-Information, Columbia Business School. TAS is the pre-eminent consulting firm for WiFi economic impact studies, having conducted research for the Wi-Fi Alliance, WiFi Forward (Comcast, Charter, Apple, Intel, Microsoft), and the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance since 2014.
The TAS team includes three additional economists and a telecom engineer with extensive experience in broadband economic impact assessment across the U.S. and internationally.
What methodology will be used?
The study applies a partial-equilibrium economic impact framework tailored to broadband and digital infrastructure markets. It focuses on incremental economic value attributable to managed WiFi relative to counterfactual fragmented connectivity models. The methodology includes consumer benefit estimation using cost-based surplus proxies, producer surplus assessment, GDP contribution modeling using established econometric frameworks (fixed-effects and difference-in-differences approaches), engineering-economic cost comparisons for infrastructure efficiency, and segmented incidence analysis for digital equity impacts. All assumptions will be fully documented, sensitivity analyses will be conducted on key parameters, and the methodology prioritizes conservative estimation and replicability to withstand regulatory scrutiny.
Will the study be credible enough for regulatory proceedings?
Absolutely. The research team has conducted WiFi economic impact studies that have been cited in regulatory proceedings worldwide. Dr. Katz’s prior studies for the Wi-Fi Alliance and WiFi Forward are widely cited by policymakers and industry stakeholders. The methodology is designed to be defensible under regulatory scrutiny — all data sources, calculation steps, and assumptions will be fully documented in a technical appendix. Where precise quantification is not feasible, estimates will be clearly labeled as illustrative or directional.
What data sources will the study rely on?
The study draws from multiple data streams: ISP rate cards and pricing data for bulk vs. retail cost comparisons; property manager and MSP operations data for infrastructure deployment costs and service delivery metrics; network monitoring statistics for performance benchmarking (throughput, latency, reliability); Census and HUD data for housing demographics and digital equity assessment; state legislature filings for regulatory framework analysis; and published public filings and industry benchmarks for cost modeling. The research team will also conduct stakeholder interviews during the scoping phase. Contributors may also be invited to provide anonymized operational data to strengthen the analysis.
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Funding & Contributions
How much does the study cost?
The total project budget required is $US 320,000, depending on the depth of analysis across all six phases. This covers all research, economic modeling, report development, and deliverable production. The budget is allocated across: Project Initiation & Scoping ($$45K), Data Collection & Benchmarking ($80K), Economic Modeling & Scenario Evaluation ($120K), Drafting & Interim Review ($55K), Client Review & Refinement ($10K), and Final Delivery & Close-Out ($10K).
Why is this funded through a crowdfunding model?
The managed WiFi industry faces a collective action problem: restrictive legislation threatens every participant — MSPs, ISPs, property technology providers, property owners, and equipment vendors — but no single company should bear the full cost of producing the industry-wide evidence needed to counter it. A crowdfunding model distributes the investment across the stakeholders who benefit most, ensures the research represents the entire ecosystem rather than a single company’s interests, and produces findings with greater credibility because they’re industry-backed rather than funded by a single entity with an obvious interest.
What is the minimum contribution?
The minimum contribution is $5,000. There is no maximum contribution.
What happens if the funding goal is not reached?
In the event that Maravedis Research is unable to commence the agreed-upon work described in this invoice, the Client shall be entitled to a refund of ninety-five percent (95%) of the total amount paid. Maravedis Research shall retain five percent (5%) of the total invoiced amount as a non-refundable administrative fee to cover time and upfront costs already incurred, including but not limited to web development (crowdfunding landing page), marketing preparation, and related preliminary expenses. Any applicable refund shall be processed within thirty (30) business days of written confirmation that the work will not proceed.
What is the $150,000 milestone?
Who should contribute?
Any organization with a stake in the managed WiFi ecosystem for multifamily housing:
- Managed Service Providers (MSPs) — whose business models are directly threatened by restrictive legislation
- Internet Service Providers (ISPs) — who serve multifamily properties through bulk arrangements
- Property technology (PropTech) vendors — whose smart building solutions depend on community-wide connectivity
- Property owners and operators — including REITs and management companies invested in connectivity infrastructure
- Equipment manufacturers — access point, switch, and networking hardware vendors serving the MDU market
- Industry associations — representing broadband, multifamily, or technology sectors
What is the refund policy?
Refund Policy
In the event that Maravedis Research is unable to commence the agreed-upon work described in this invoice, the Client shall be entitled to a refund of ninety-five percent (95%) of the total amount paid. Maravedis Research shall retain five percent (5%) of the total invoiced amount as a non-refundable administrative fee to cover time and upfront costs already incurred, including but not limited to:
- Web development (crowdfunding landing page)
- Marketing preparation
- Related preliminary expenses
Any applicable refund shall be processed within thirty (30) business days of written confirmation that the work will not proceed.
Exceptions:
No refund shall be issued if the Client withdraws funding, in whole or in part, for the purpose of directing or reallocating such funds toward a competing or substantially similar study, research initiative, or publication. In such circumstances, all amounts paid shall be deemed fully earned and non-refundable.
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How the Research Will Be Used
How will this study counter restrictive legislation?
Currently, legislators proposing restrictions on managed WiFi have no economic evidence to contradict. Their arguments rest on abstract “consumer choice” framing. This study shifts the debate from theoretical choice to measurable economic and social outcomes. It will demonstrate quantifiable harms to the very populations these policies claim to protect — particularly residents of affordable, student, and senior housing. The deliverables are specifically designed for use in legislative testimony, regulatory proceedings, industry advocacy campaigns, and media engagement in any state jurisdiction.
Can the study be used in any state, or only California and Colorado?
The study is designed to be applicable nationwide. While California AB 1414 and Colorado’s enacted laws serve as specific case studies, the regulatory framework analysis models the economic impact of each category of restriction opt-out mandates, open access requirements, and infrastructure duplication rules independently. This means the findings can be deployed to counter similar legislation in any state, regardless of the specific combination of provisions being proposed. The framework is a reusable advocacy toolkit.
How does this study address the “consumer choice” argument?
The study reframes the debate by quantifying what “choice” actually costs. Policies framed as pro-consumer often mischaracterize broadband as an individual retail service rather than a shared building-wide infrastructure — like water or electricity — that derives efficiency from centralized design. The research will demonstrate that opt-out mandates undermine the economies of scale that enable bulk pricing (20–40% savings), open access requirements create redundant infrastructure that increases costs for everyone, and markup restrictions reduce investment incentives for professional-grade connectivity. Most critically, the digital equity analysis will show how these policies disproportionately harm low-income, senior, and student residents who benefit most from bulk billing’s cost efficiencies and barrier-free access.
What is the FCC’s position on bulk billing?
The FCC does not prohibit bulk billing. It bans exclusive access agreements — contracts that grant a single provider exclusive rights to serve a building. However, as the FCC clarifies, a landlord may still choose the providers it allows into the building, even if that means only one company provides service. The FCC proposed rules that would have banned bulk billing nationwide but subsequently withdrew them. State legislatures are now stepping into this gap with their own restrictions, creating a patchwork of regulations that diverge from the federal framework and generate uncertainty for property owners, service providers, and residents.
I have more questions. How do I get in touch?
Contact Adlane Fellah, Chief Analyst at Maravedis Research, directly at info@maravedis-bwa.com or call +1 (305) 865-1006.
The Clock Is Ticking.
Fund the Research Today.
Without credible data, the industry is fighting blind. Join the industry leaders funding the evidence base we need.