Connectivity is the essential backbone of any smart community, according to Maz Khan, president of Vitalis Smart Communities. In a recent Beyond the Cable appearance, he warned that labeling a community as “smart” merely because it has a Nest thermostat or a smart lock misses the core requirement: a robust, future-ready network capable of supporting the devices residents expect.
He described a true smart community as one where systems and solutions are integrated, enabling residents to interact with them seamlessly rather than facing a tangle of incompatible gadgets. “You can install as many devices as you like, but if the network can’t support them, you’ll just frustrate tenants and residents,” Khan said.
The executive also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence, noting that AI can enhance the smart-community model but only if it sits on a solid connectivity foundation. “AI works best when there is a reliable, high-capacity network to build the layers on top,” he added.
Vitalis Smart Communities focuses on telecom and technology strategy for HOAs, condominiums, multifamily ownership groups, and developers. Khan said the firm, part of a parent company with a commercial real estate portfolio valued at roughly a quarter of a billion dollars, positions itself as one of the nation’s leading and fastest-growing advisory firms.
Listeners can hear the rest of Khan’s nuanced take on how connectivity shapes smart communities in full on Apple Podcasts, while subscribers to Broadband Communities’ newsletter can get more insights. “We’re looking at connectivity as the base and then building the layers on top,” he said, inviting readers to explore the conversation further.
