Magnolia Chase Apartments, a 209-unit community in the heart of Hampton Roads, had modern curb appeal and desirable amenities—but behind the walls, the internet infrastructure told a different story.

Residents were relying on outdated coaxial cabling and cable modem internet. Connections were unstable. Installations were delayed. And with residents waiting days after move-in for service, the leasing team often had to field complaints during what should have been the community’s best first impression.

Ownership recognized that a property known for quality living couldn’t afford to offer a second-rate digital experience. So they turned to Internet Subway to change the game.

The Challenge: Legacy Infrastructure, Frustrated Residents, Minimal Monetization

Magnolia Chase faced several critical issues:

• Only legacy coaxial service was available
• Residents experienced frequent downtime and inconsistent performance
• Move-in delays for internet activation were common and disruptive
• Internet revenue went directly to the cable provider—not the property

Management needed a way to fix the resident experience and capture revenue from a utility every resident was already paying for.

The Solution: Full Fiber Retrofit + Automated Move-In Activation

Internet Subway engineered a complete transformation with Next Gen Bulk:

• Brand new underground fiber network, built to every building and unit
• Fiber-to-the-unit (FTTU) architecture delivering enterprise-grade speeds
• Seamless integration with the property’s RealPage PMS, enabling pre-move-in resident invitations and credentials
• Residents receive instant-on internet access the moment they move in—no calls, no waiting

The deployment turned an aging infrastructure into a high-performance digital backbone built for today’s connected lifestyle.

Streamlined, Seamless, Satisfying Resident Experience

For residents, the difference is night and day:

• Internet is live at move-in—no more installation windows or waiting
• The Internet Subway portal lets residents manage their plan or upgrade speeds instantly
• Fiber delivers consistent performance, even during peak evening hours
• Connectivity now extends across amenity spaces like the pool, gym, and clubhouse

The result? Fewer service tickets, higher satisfaction, and stronger online reviews.

$2.19 Million in Property Value Created

By transitioning to Internet Subway’s next-gen bulk model, the property unlocked a reliable new income stream:

• Bulk internet cost: $30/unit/month
• Service fee added to rent: $85/unit/month
• Net NOI per unit: $55/month = $660/year
• Cap rate applied: 5.5%
• Gross value per unit: $660 / 0.055 = $12,000
• Less retrofit/equipment cost: $1,500/unit
• Net value increase per unit: $10,500
• Total value created: 209 units × $10,500 = $2,194,500

This retrofit created a future-proof network and paid for itself in under three years.

A Strategic Upgrade That Delivers Operational and Financial Results

Magnolia Chase didn’t just solve a resident internet problem—it turned a liability into an asset.

• Infrastructure upgraded from coax to full fiber
• Residents now enjoy always-on, upgradeable service
• Ownership added $2.19M in property value
• Leasing and service teams have fewer headaches

For asset managers focused on NOI, resident retention, and long-term value, this type of infrastructure investment isn’t just smart—it’s strategic.

Let’s Build Your Fiber ROI Strategy

Explore how Internet Subway can modernize your property’s infrastructure and create lasting NOI.
Book a strategy session with our multifamily specialists today.