Broadband access increases property values

Add increased property value to the long list ofhigh-speed Internet’s benefits. The Charlotte Observerreports that access to broadband has become an essential for renters and buyers. Indeed, Internet access has become a basic, expected service of modern life: “Real estate professionals say they can’t afford not to integrate the fastest speeds into new buildings any more than they could neglect to install plumbing.”

According to one North Carolina marketing officer, vocal online communities can influence business decisions:

Slow Internet service now constitutes a major risk for a property’s reputation. “We can’t tolerate a customer tweeting ‘I can’t get my Internet connectivity,’” said Tyler Niess, chief marketing officer for Charlotte-based Crescent Communities, which is developing multiple local apartment, office and hotel towers. “It’s a real risk.”

Developers: Ultrahigh-speed Internet isn’t just a luxury anymore, it’s a necessity (The Charlotte Observer,  May 21, 2015)