The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) has published a standards-based playbook for linking multi-dwelling units (MDUs) as residential developments become denser and more connected. The paper, titled “Connectivity Strategies for Smart Multi‑Dwelling Units (MDUs): Convergence for Connected Living at Scale,” argues that fully managed, open-standards architectures are essential to handle rising device counts, expanding IoT ecosystems and higher resident expectations.
MDU deployments today are often fragmented, relying on proprietary solutions and inconsistent standards. The report recommends a unified, managed Wi‑Fi framework built on open standards such as EasyMesh, USP/TR‑369, TR‑181, MoCA/G.hn and OpenRoaming, complemented by multi-admin, role-based controls to balance the needs of owners, operators and residents.
Looking ahead, the authors highlight expected market shifts: Wi‑Fi access point shipments to MDUs are forecast to more than double by 2030, and Wi‑Fi 7 is anticipated to overtake Wi‑Fi 6 by 2027. The WBA positions centralized, orchestrated connectivity as a strategic asset rather than a cost center, enabling predictable performance, greater operational efficiency and new revenue streams for property owners.
Industry voices emphasize interoperability and IoT convergence. “We saw a proliferation of IoT wireless devices, which can create a complex mix of technologies,” said George Hechtman, the project leader. Silicon Labs’ Wael Guibene argued that integrating Wi‑Fi and Thread via Matter could form a unified ecosystem, while Saurabh Mathur of RUCKUS Networks noted evolving resident expectations for “multi‑gigabit, always‑on experiences” and AI-driven network management.
The report also flags practical rollout challenges, including WPA3 migration, device compatibility and the need for wired backhaul. Adopting next‑generation standards will require coordinated effort from property managers, service providers and vendors alike, the authors say.
To round out the research, the paper notes that AI tools aided in its drafting, underscoring the growing role of intelligent design in future network strategies. The Broadband Communities newsletter invites readers to subscribe for ongoing coverage of MDU connectivity developments.
