Bulk Internet vs Retail Internet
Bulk internet service is typically purchased in large quantities by Home Owner Associations, property management companies or Condo Associations and provide residents or tenants a more cost-effective solution with discounted rates for a large scale commitment and provide faster internet when fiber optic internet construction is included in the contract. The average person on the other hand purchase their internet service individually through a retail internet contract in which consumers sign-up directly with an ISP, in which they choose their plan based on personal needs and services offered in their area often depending on how many ISPs they have to choose from. In most cases, retail ISPs offer several plans for consumers to choose from that are more expensive than bulk ISPs offer and discounts are dependent on users entering into a 1 to 2 year contract, after which the cost of continuing the service increase substantially, forcing consumers to either switch ISPs, negotiate with their existing provider, downgrade their service plan or just pay the new inflated rate.
In bulk ISP contracts, the property or association receive a single bill from the ISP and the cost is typically passed on to residents/tenants through monthly dues or fees. Bulk rates are set forth in the negotiated contract for a longer period of time than retail ISP contracts and rates can only be increased by a small percentage, stated in the contract and as a result of increased operational costs. In a retail ISP contract, users can choose their speed, data cap (if applicable) and equipment often with more options than a bulk internet contract, can upgrade or downgrade their plan, switch providers and make other changes as their contract expires and rates are increased or they opt to choose a competitors services.
The most significant benefit that are offered in bulk internet contracts is the inclusion of fiber optic construction in contracted communities that nearby individual consumers don’t have access to, in which the property could receive 5GB speeds or more, significantly faster speeds than retail ISPs offer which typically max out at 1000Mbps (1GB). A fiber optic connection can boost you home’s property value by providing improved functionality through a future-proof connection, appealing to an increasingly tech-savvy real estate market.
In short, retail ISP contracts are more individualized and more expensive per user but highly customizable, offering much less bandwidth than their bulk counterpart. Bulk ISPs like BroadStar provide a centralized solution that is more cost effective for multiple users that have less plan options, but offer residents the fastest internet in the industry through a fiber infrastructure in which residents never share bandwidth through the use of a dedicated fiber connection to each and every home. Get a Free Quote to embrace the future with fiber including top tier customer service, dedicated technicians and BroadStarTV, our bulk video solution with 2-Day Replay, 200+ channels, the BroadStarTV App and much more.
