Who doesn’t want a faster internet connection with more bandwidth? After all, the more speed you have, the quicker your network can operate; and the more bandwidth you have, the more applications you can run at the same time.

That is the general message telecommunication companies are conveying when they’re pushing multi-gigabit networks on their customers. It’s the newest networking technology that promises ultra-fast speeds and ultra-high bandwidth to allow you to keep up with the ever-increasing demand of technological resources.

But, is a multi-gigabit network really all it’s cracked up to be? Or, better yet, do you really need a multi-gigabit network?

The answer to those questions isn’t so straightforward.

What is Multi-Gigabit? Multi-gigabit is a generic term that describes a network that provides speeds of more than one gigabit, or 1G. In most cases, these networks will provide speeds of 2.5G, though some can go as high as 10G.

One of the most attractive parts of multi-gigabit networks is they run on the wiring that you most likely already have on your network — either Cat 6 or Cat6a copper wiring and even Cat5e. This means if you wanted to upgrade to a multi-gigabit network, you wouldn’t need to invest in a completely new wiring backbone.

While you may need new routers, switches and wireless access points, you won’t need an entirely new network infrastructure.

How Multi-Gigabit Works Networks today are being taxed at rates not seen before. People on your network operate multiple devices, and what they’re running takes up a significant amount of bandwidth. All of these devices are being used at the same time, too.

What’s more, this doesn’t even touch on the workload your own applications and processes require. Cloud-based software, IoT devices and automation tools all suck up a load of bandwidth, which drains your network performance.

Multi-gigabit provides a solution to all of this, allowing your network infrastructure to meet the demands of your workplace. Many of these devices run off wireless access points, which don’t offer the necessary speed or bandwidth for some modern functions.

This is what multi-gigabit helps you solve. By increasing the speed and bandwidth of the overall network, it also increases that of the wireless access points, allowing your network to reach its optimal performance.

Benefits of Multi-Gigabit for Multi-Tenant Units The above may all sound foreign to you if you’re an owner of multi-tenant unit properties. There are, however, plenty of practical applications for multi-gigabit networks at your site.

MTUs are changing as rapidly as the network technology itself. Security cameras, smart appliances, keycode access and more can all be run from wireless access points placed throughout your property. This is in addition to the in-unit wireless service for residents and businesses, as well as that in common spaces, throughout the property and in on-site administrative offices.

All of these technologies require significant bandwidth and speed to run properly, and this is one area where multi-gigabit could help.

If you don’t already offer some of these advanced technological features at your property, it’s probably something you’re considering. After all, a market research report conducted by RVA LLC found that high-speed internet access can add 8% to the value of a rental apartment or 2% to a condominium.

In other words, an investment in solid connectivity will produce significant returns.

Because of this, multi-gigabit internet may seem like a no-brainer, but is it really worth it, or can you wait?

Elauwit Helps You Understand if You Need Multi-Gigabit Bigger is always better … or is it? If price were no factor, then everyone would get multi-gigabit internet tomorrow. Obviously, that is simply not reality.

If you want more bandwidth and you want more speed, there is obviously a cost. Whether that cost is worth it to you depends on your specific network and your specific needs.

So, do you need a multi-gigabit network now, or can you wait for other technologies to catch up? The answer to that question is — it depends …

· It depends on the current state of your network.

· It depends on what devices are on your network.

· It depends on how much bandwidth you use now, and how much you’re likely to use in the next few years.

· It depends on where your property is now, and where it’s going in the future.

· It depends on your budget, and whether the above points necessitate a bigger and faster network.

Unfortunately, many telecommunication companies aren’t telling people this. They are focusing only on the benefits of multi-gigabit and ignoring the fact that it’s simply over kill for some MTUs.

This is one way that we at Elauwit differentiate ourselves from others.

“We’re technology advisers,” explained Barry Rubens, chief executive of Elauwit. “We help you identify what your network needs are now, so we can identify what your future needs might be. In this way, we can help you build a future-proof network.”

Multi-gigabit is all the rage today. At some point in the future, it’ll become standard.

Do you need that now? Or, would multi-gigabit be providing you capabilities that you wouldn’t even use?

The other telecommunication companies won’t have that conversation with you. But, Elauwit will.