At The Cascades, a 226-unit apartment community in Virginia Beach, move-in day used to come with an all-too-common nuisance for the onsite team: the ISP handoff dance.

A resident would arrive, call the local cable company to schedule internet service, and within days—sometimes hours—a contractor would show up looking for a utility closet, asking for access to locked spaces, or trying to figure out which line went to which unit.

That often meant:

• Maintenance being pulled off task to unlock panels
• Leasing agents fielding support calls from residents or techs
• Delays when ISPs couldn’t complete installs without more access
• Finger-pointing between residents, the property team, and the provider

And the kicker? None of it generated a cent for the property. Maybe indirectly via a very low revenue share from the cable provider, but if anything, a drop in the bucket.

The Fix: Fully Automated, Zero-Touch Internet Activation

To eliminate the friction, the property partnered with Internet Subway to deploy its next-generation bulk fiber internet service—a move that would completely change how residents connect, and how the property team operates.

Here’s what changed:

• A brand-new underground fiber network was installed, reaching every building and unit
• Internet Subway’s portal + RealPage PMS integration now automates resident activation
• No techs on site. No closet access. No staff involvement. Ever.
• Service is live the moment the resident moves in

The entire process is self-contained—from resident onboarding to personalized upgrades—and it requires zero coordination with leasing, maintenance, or management.

The Impact: Time Saved, Headaches Gone

Since switching to Internet Subway:

• No more ISP installer interruptions
• No more missing keys for closet access
• No more confused residents asking about “their internet guy”
• No more staff time lost assisting with the process

It’s plug-and-play for the resident. And hands-off for the property.

The result? The onsite team stays focused on leasing, renewals, and resident satisfaction—not third-party tech coordination.

Resident Experience: Instant-On and Fully Upgradeable

The shift didn’t just benefit staff. Residents at The Cascades now enjoy:

• Internet that’s live the moment they walk in the door
• A custom online portal for managing or upgrading their service
• Reliable fiber connectivity that doesn’t slow down during peak hours
• Amenity-wide Wi-Fi, including the gym, pool deck, and common spaces

It’s everything today’s renters expect—without the legacy install hassles.

Big NOI, Bigger Property Value

Beyond the operational lift, Internet Subway’s model drives strong financial performance:

• Annual NOI per unit: $660
• Asset value added per unit @ 5.5% cap rate: $12,000
• Less retrofit/equipment CapEx: $1,500/unit
• Net asset value added per unit: $10,500
• Total value added across 226 units: $2,373,000

That’s over $2.3 million in value created—plus fewer service tickets, fewer staff interruptions, and happier residents.

A Win for Property Operations

The Cascades didn’t just improve internet access—it streamlined one of the most disruptive move-in friction points in multifamily operations.

By replacing coax-based ISP installs with always-on fiber from Internet Subway, the property turned a time-consuming headache into a zero-touch amenity that increases NOI, improves reviews, and frees up staff to focus on what really matters.

Want to learn how fiber internet can boost your bottom line and eliminate third-party coordination at move-in?
Book a strategy call with an Internet Subway multifamily specialist today.