Facility Manager's Guide to Implementing a Broadband Strategy

Buildings.com is pleased to publish this special Online Exclusive report by Thomas A.L. Kashangaki, Ph.D., The Strategis Consulting Group, Washington, D.C.

Business demand for high-speed Internet access and advanced communications services has dramatically increased in recent years. Owners and managers of commercial office buildings now view these services as a requirement for attracting and retaining quality, long-term tenants. Commercial office developers are more likely than ever to plan and install the telecommunications infrastructure at the beginning of the building design process. In addition, they are more likely to extend state-of-the-art infrastructure to the tenant space, rather than merely provide entrance facilities in the basement of the building and expect the tenants and service providers to extend the infrastructure to the workstation. Building rooftops have become a revenue-generating portion of the building as wireless phone companies, fixed wireless broadband providers and satellite companies roll out services. Commercial property owners see broadband services as an effective business tool to meet the growing demands of their tenants while adding new high value amenities to the service portfolio. These amenities help to develop effective branding and increase revenues and profitability.

Some commercial property owners have chosen to develop in-house technical telecommunications expertise to manage the design, installation and maintenance of the telecommunications infrastructure throughout their property portfolio. Others are opting to partner with consulting firms to provide unbiased, independent engineering, design and project management support for implementation of their telecommunications infrastructure. This paper describes the second approach, outlining the benefits of using a 3rd party Telecommunications Consultant solution and a methodology that will result in profitable implementation of the telecommunications infrastructure.