Difference Between Apartment Wi-Fi and Residential Retrofit Programs
Apartment Wi-Fi:
- Wi-Fi Service Delivery: Shared among residents through a building-wide internet subscription.
- Management and Operation: Managed by the Metropolitan Area Planning Councils (MAPC) on behalf of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI).
- Funding Source: Funded via the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLRF).
- Capital and Operating Expenses: MBI covers all capital costs (equipment, labor, etc) and operating expenses for the first year of service (ISP, MSP, and other associated costs).
Residential Retrofit:
- Internet Service Delivery: Delivered to individual units through a traditional unit by unit internet subscription plan, unless the building operator opts for a building-wide subscription.
- Management and Operation: Managed directly by MBI.
- Funding Source: Funded via the ARPA Capital Projects Fund (CPF).
- Capital Expenses: MBI covers only the capital expenses related to cabling to the unit. Operating expenses are not covered.
Apartment Wi-Fi:
- Initial Costs: Covered by MBI for both capital and operating expenses for the first year. Annual operating costs for a 100 unit building would be approximately $15k - $20k / year under a three year contract.
- Long-term Costs: Housing operators absorb operating expenses beyond the first year.
Residential Retrofit:
- Initial Costs: MBI covers the capital expenses related to the cabling construction to each unit.
- Long-term Costs: Ongoing subscription costs are not included in the grant award for the Retrofit program. Residents will be required to subscribe to any newly established service unless the housing operator chooses to engage in a bulk service option directly with the ISP. MBI has structured the Retrofit RFP so that the housing operator will have full visibility as to both of these pricing structures (resident subscription and bulk service) to make an informed decision prior to ISP selection. If a housing operator chooses to enter into a bulk service agreement with an ISP that would cover internet service costs for all residents the housing operator will be required to cover those costs.
General Requirements for Both Programs:
- Eligible Developments: State and federally funded public housing developments, developments supported by Low Income Housing Tax Credits, or other deed-restricted affordable housing developments.
- Resident Income Levels: Housing developments serving residents at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or with incomes at or below 65% of the Annual Median Income.
Additional Requirements for Residential Retrofit:
- Investment Restrictions: MBI will not invest in properties where less than 50% of units are deed-restricted at/below 65% AMI. Properties where at least 50% of units but less than 100% of units are deed-restricted at/below 65% AMI will need to be located in a Qualified Census Tract (QCT).
- Wiring Standards: MBI will not invest in properties with recent internal wiring upgrades (within the past five years) or existing fiber connectivity to the unit.