OPTECH 2025 brought together the multifamily industry’s leaders, operators, and technology partners in Las Vegas to examine where the sector is headed. From shifting revenue strategies to the evolving role of connectivity infrastructure, this year’s conference confirmed a growing consensus that managed WiFi, AI, and future-ready networks are what’s ahead.

As a national provider of managed WiFi solutions, Gigstreem was deeply engaged on the expo floor, in breakout sessions, and at key presentations. What we observed reflects a multifamily landscape in the midst of meaningful digital transformation.

Here are six key takeaways from OPTECH 2025 that signal where the industry is going and how technology will shape the path forward.

The tone around managed WiFi has shifted dramatically over the years. Owners and operators are increasingly positioning managed WiFi as a core component of their asset management strategy. They’re recognizing it not only as a competitive differentiator, but as a way to build resilience into their properties, enhancing resident satisfaction, reducing churn, and unlocking operational efficiencies.

As connectivity becomes inseparable from the resident experience, the expectation is that property-wide internet must be as reliable as power or water.

With rental occupancy softening in several key markets, property leaders are turning to alternative ways to drive predictable, scalable income. At OPTECH, managed WiFi emerged as one of the most effective levers for ancillary revenue growth.

Operators emphasized the appeal of recurring technology fees, which can be bundled into leases or resident technology packages. Managed WiFi in particular stood out due to its low maintenance overhead and its potential to support smart building features, creating a layered value proposition for both residents and ownership.

The underlying message was that in a tighter market, well-executed connectivity services can provide durable, asset-level returns.

AI and predictive analytics were central themes across OPTECH 2025, especially in the context of how technology is used to elevate the resident experience. Nowhere was this more evident than in the presentation of the new What Multifamily Residents Think About Wi-Fi study, which Gigstreem proudly sponsored.

Using AI-guided conversations with over 11,000 residents, the study surfaced a striking insight that speed matters far less than consistency. For most residents, performance above a basic threshold goes unnoticed. What they remember are failures. In fact, the data showed that residents who experience more than one outage per month are 32% more likely not to renew their lease, with churn rates jumping from 44% to 58%. When outages become weekly, churn spikes to 83%.

This insight reframes what it means to deliver a premium digital experience. Reliability, not just speed, has become the defining metric for resident satisfaction, and AI-powered platforms that detect and resolve connectivity issues before they’re noticed are rapidly becoming essential to property operations. The future of connectivity isn’t just faster. It’s smarter, quieter, and built to prevent problems before residents ever need to complain.

While adoption is just beginning, property owners and operators are asking more questions about WiFi 7. Its promise—higher throughput, lower latency, and better handling of dense device environments—is resonating with those looking to future-proof new developments and renovations.

Attendees acknowledged that deployments are still rare, but interest is accelerating. The ability to support high-bandwidth applications, edge devices, and a growing slate of IoT endpoints has made WiFi 7 a strategic discussion point rather than a theoretical one.

Forward-looking operators are already mapping out upgrade paths, particularly for tech-enabled communities serving a digital-native resident base.

On the expo floor, collaboration was a prominent theme, and Gigstreem’s proximity to the RUCKUS booth allowed us to showcase the strength of that partnership in action.

As a newly designated Lifecycle Elite Partner of RUCKUS, Gigstreem is uniquely positioned to bring enterprise-grade connectivity to multifamily communities nationwide. The integration of RUCKUS One, an AI-driven network assurance platform, coupled with the Gigstreem service model enables faster installations, greater reliability, and smarter network management.

This partnership is already operational at scale using wall-mounted RUCKUS H550 access points, delivering measurable outcomes in performance and ease of deployment. What stood out at OPTECH is that property stakeholders increasingly see this kind of integrated, turnkey solution as the new standard.

Above all, OPTECH 2025 affirmed a broader directional shift that the multifamily industry is rallying around a shared vision for what modern connectivity should be. That vision is intelligent, adaptable, and integrated from the ground up.

Operators want scalable systems that reduce friction for residents and staff alike. They want to work with partners who can deliver technical depth without operational complexity. And they want networks that can evolve, not just keep up.

Gigstreem’s presence at OPTECH reflected that ethos, from our support of cutting-edge research to our commitment to hands-on collaboration with RUCKUS. As the expectations around digital infrastructure accelerate, we are proud to be at the forefront of helping properties meet, and exceed, those expectations.

As we reflect on this year’s OPTECH, it’s clear that the intersection of connectivity, resident experience, and operational strategy is only growing more vital. For property owners and asset managers, the time to invest in smart, reliable, and future-proof infrastructure is now.

To learn more about how Gigstreem is powering the next generation of multifamily connectivity, schedule some time to talk to one of our experts.