Broadband service tops the list among current users
A national study of U.S. broadband consumers by RVA LLC Market Research and Consulting shows that 82% of those buyers who have had broadband service over fiber all the way to the home rank it as the leading real estate development amenity. Four other key prospective features ranked lower among buyers shopping for a new home. In another RVA study, very high-speed Internet-such as over fiber-ranked second only to landscaping and setting on a list of 23 amenities, ahead of features such as pools, home automation, shops, a fitness center, a dog park, a golf course, Wi-Fi at the pool area, day care or concierge services.
A national random survey of more than 600 fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) consumer users was conducted in May. Respondents were asked a series of perceptual questions and also were asked to test and report their current Internet speeds. Both surveys were done for the Fiber-to-the-Home Council. The survey showed that end-to-end fiber broadband service tops green space, a security patrol, a community pool, a park or a fitness center among sought-after amenities by the home buyers.
Mike Render, CEO of RVA LLC, said: "The indication is that the personal space and connectivity really matter to the home buyer now, compared with public facilities; it's where home owners actually spend their time, and broadband is an increasing part of that time, so they want the best," With the pace of change in both technology and in broadband services, moving into a home that is already wired for the future can be a distinct advantage.
According to Bill Heilig, Verizon vice president of corporate marketing, social trends also affect the quest for fiber-based service. He said, "Teleworking is on the rise again, and nothing beats a 25 or 50 megabit-per-second downstream link for just-like-at-work service,"
