Connectivity has never been more important for businesses. It makes workplaces more attractive to employees, driving retention, satisfaction and productivity. It powers operations through an ever-growing number of network-enabled devices and services. But robust, reliable in-building connectivity doesn’t grow on trees. Somebody has to fund it, design it, build it and deploy it. The question is: who?

In our 2024 survey of more than 1,000 US business leaders, more than half said mobile network operators (MNOs) are responsible for providing connectivity in their buildings. That may have been true in the past, but the reality is that today’s MNOs are less likely than ever to make big investments in in-building connectivity solutions for mixed-use developments and commercial properties. That means if commercial real estate owners and developers want to attract new tenants and keep the ones they have, they’ll need to take control over their in-building connectivity.

Why in-building connectivity can lead to big wins for property owners

The commercial real estate market is getting tighter, and with 79% of US business leaders looking to move to a new building within the next five years, there’s a lot of pressure to attract those potential new tenants and retain existing ones. The best way to do that? Ensure a seamless and exceptional wireless experience in all common and tenant areas.

Almost all (97%) US business leaders said they’re willing to pay more to get robust, reliable connectivity at their premises. So strong in-building connectivity can lead directly to increased rents. It also keeps tenants satisfied, which means less turnover and churn. And that leads to a greater long-term return on investment.

Plus, it’s not just tenants who benefit from connectivity-enabled technologies. Smart devices and sensors can help reduce in-building energy consumption – for example, by automatically adjusting lighting or temperature based on occupancy. Those devices all rely on seamless network coverage.

Of course, the opposite holds true as well. Building owners who fail to prioritize connectivity face serious consequences, including lower property values and higher vacancy rates. They simply won’t be able to lease space in buildings that can’t meet the increasingly high demands for connectivity held by today’s businesses.

Working together to deploy reliable in-building connectivity

For commercial real estate owners and developers, deploying in-building wireless networks starts by thinking about connectivity from day one. That means future-proofing their buildings by embedding fiber pathways, distributed antenna systems (DAS) and small cells into the design stage. They need to think of connectivity as a utility, like water and electricity, and build budgets for it into their construction plans. (They might also consider connectivity-as-a-service solutions, which offer a pricing model that trades large upfront expenses for predictable monthly payments.)

That said, figuring out what to invest in and how to put in place the right infrastructure can seem daunting. So it’s important for owners and developers to partner with a third-party, neutral-host provider like Boldyn Networks who has the expertise to design, build, manage and maintain scalable, multi-carrier mobile infrastructure. (Multi-carrier matters because tenants don’t want to be locked in to using the services from just one specific MNO.)

Industry leaders like Legends ASM Global, Sterling Bay and Greystar are already working with Boldyn Networks to build or retrofit properties that are future-ready. Because whether it’s a mixed-use development, an office tower or an entertainment venue, the message is clear: in-building connectivity is non-negotiable. With shared network infrastructure from Boldyn Networks, owners and developers can deliver the seamless wireless performance prospective tenants require and expect, while improving the bottom line for their own businesses.

Want to learn more? Read our research report to see how in-building connectivity is shaping the future of commercial real estate.