As the most rapidly expanding multifamily housing market, convenience and security have assumed even greater importance, driving video intercom systems from luxuries of the rich to part of everyday comfort. Property owners and managers, out of necessity to satisfy expectations of city living and evolving tenant expectations, select proper intercom technology as a top priority. This whitepaper is aimed at demystifying the fundamental connectivity options – wired, wireless, IP, and cellular – demystifying the nuances so that decision-makers can deploy solutions that secure, simplify, and ultimately elevate the tenant experience.
Decoding Intercom Connectivity Choices
Multifamily intercoms have evolved significantly from simple buzzers to high-tech access control and communication hubs. At their very core, the systems allow residents to visually screen and communicate with visitors, offer remote entry, and manage deliveries, directly addressing some of today's security issues like package theft and unwanted intrusion. Its performance and effectiveness, however, are based on its inherent connectivity approach, which determines everything from installation simplicity to scalability and longevity performance.
There are four dominant intercom system connection methods prevalent today: antiquated wired installation, supporting wireless (WiFi) compatibility, cutting-edge IP-based (Ethernet) systems, and integrated cellular connectivity. All technology possesses strength and weakness, with no solution being greater than the others in all regards. The optimal solution will depend on a combination of variables, including the building's age and infrastructure, cost, functionality level needed, and long-term operational goals.
It's crucial that building owners and managers learn about these technical distinctions so that a well-informed decision can be made. Not only will the choice affect the initial cost and installation effort, but also the reliability of the system, ease of integration into other smart building technology, and whether it has a long-term cost. By.thoroughly examining the trade-offs each connection type entails, stakeholders can be assured they choose a system that is particularly designed to meet the particular needs of their property and strategic aims, making their investment future-proof.
Wired Intercoms: Unpacking Reliable Basics
Wired intercom systems are the traditional backbone of building communications, utilizing dedicated physical wiring to connect all of the components. These most typically include the main entry panel, in-unit substations (if utilized), and a central control unit. These systems previously utilized proprietary 2-wire or 4-wire installations, but newer wired offerings often utilize standard Ethernet (CAT5/6) wiring, which can also deliver power via Power over Ethernet (PoE) for IP-enabled devices.
The most noticeable advantage of wired intercoms is their reliability and stability. Because data and power flow via dedicated physical cables, the systems are highly resistant to wireless interference, signal loss, or network overloading that can daunt wireless alternatives. Once mounted, their connection is stable and firm, and such simple operations as visitor call and door release function reliably, often with less ongoing subscription fees for basic operation.
Yet the biggest drawback of wired systems is their expense and time-intensive installation, particularly in retrofitting structures. Running new cables through walls, floors, and ceilings is a time-consuming, invasive, and expensive task. Such cabling proliferation also dissuades scalability and future alterations or additions are rendered more problematic and expensive, generally making them more suitable to new building projects where wiring can be incorporated and installed from the earliest stage.
Wireless Systems: Flexibility via WiFi Network
Wireless intercom systems give a more accessible alternative by leveraging the existing installed WiFi network infrastructure within a building to deliver communication between the entry panel, cloud services, and mobile applications. This type of connectivity greatly reduces the need for much physical wiring to each apartment unit, relocating the burden from intricate wiring to reliance on strong and uniformly distributed wireless network infrastructure.
The main benefit of WiFi-based intercoms is that they are much less expensive to install and simpler than wired installations. With less cabling needed, they are quicker to install, less invasive, and less expensive in terms of labor, so they're a highly attractive solution where retrofitting existing structures means that it would be impractical or very costly to rip walls apart to feed in new cables. Distant flexibility also allows for devices to be located in areas where cables would be difficult to install.
Though wireless systems have installation advantages, they are entirely at the mercy of the building's WiFi network strength, stability, and coverage. External interference due to other devices, building materials, or dead spots is likely to readily impact reliability with dropped calls, stuttering video streams, or unresponsive door unlocks, which for a mission-critical security application like access control may be a top-level issue. Property managers must also ensure that their WiFi network is robust enough to handle the needs of a video intercom system, such as shelling out for network upgrades or more access points.
IP-Based Intercoms: Scalability and Cloud Power
IP-based intercom systems represent the new benchmark for multi-family access control, connecting through Ethernet wiring to the building local area network (LAN) and utilizing the internet for cloud connectivity. In essence, they are specialized network devices that communicate utilizing standard IP protocols, making them capable of incredible flexibility, scalability, and integration potential.
A few of the greatest advantages of IP-based systems are that they are exceedingly scalable with support for high-definition video, feature-rich mobile applications, and simpler integration with other intelligent building systems such as property management software (PMS) and intelligent locks. With cloud-based systems, property managers have remote management capabilities where they can modify tenant directories, manage access permissions, and monitor activity logs from anywhere, making operations much easier. Besides, in newer buildings where there is already network infrastructure in place, they can typically take advantage of pre-installed Ethernet wiring, making installation simpler than with legacy wired systems.
However, IP-based systems do require a robust and stable internet connection to operate at their best, at least for cloud-dependent functionality and live video streaming. Although their installation generally involves less cabling than traditional wired systems, network cabling is still required to connect the main entry panel(s) to the building network. Moreover, these advanced features and cloud services usually come with periodic subscription fees, which are a perpetual operational cost that building owners need to factor into their budget.
Cellular Intercoms: Independent of Building Net
Cellular intercom systems provide an innovative solution by using onboard cellular modem (with LTE, 4G, or 5G supported technologies) to directly access the internet via mobile networks. This makes them immune to the wired internet connection of the building or even their WiFi network, giving them a completely standalone means of communication.
Cellular intercoms' greatest single benefit is that they're unparalleled to install. They're ideal for use in situations where hardwired internet installation or the provision of a guaranteed WiFi signal is not possible or impractical, such as for perimeter gates, distant outbuildings, or where there's little existing infrastructure. Their absence within the building's internal network also protects them from becoming vulnerable to local internet interference or WiFi network issues, giving an assured communication pathway for access control.
While convenient, cellular intercoms are not trouble-free. Their performance is completely at the mercy of the strength and quality of the cellular signal at the site of installation; a weak signal can lead to calls being dropped or late reception of answers. Cellular intercom systems also depend on periodic re-renewals of cellular data plans, yet another recurring cost that adds up over time. While being very useful for most special purpose functions like gates, they may not be cost-effective and feature-rich enough to extend to main building doors if solid wired or IP-based hardware can be provided.
Selecting Your System: New Build or Retrofit?
The connectivity option for an intercom system is seldom one-size-fits-all; it most of all hinges on the particularities of your property development. The greatest difference is whether you are specifying for new build or retrofit since this affects installation cost and viability.
For new buildings, owners can plan and install infrastructure from the outset. In those instances, a conventional wired IP-based system is usually the best long-term solution. Getting Ethernet cable put in during construction is inexpensive and minimally disruptive and yields extremely stable, extensible, and future-proof infrastructure that is easy to integrate with other smart building technology and incorporate more advanced features tenants are coming to demand.
Conversely, for retrofitting older existing multifamily buildings, problems of running new wires can make traditional wired systems very expensive and very disruptive to residents. Cellular or WiFi-based wireless intercom systems offer more practical and affordable solutions in these situations. Hybrid solutions that utilize potential legacy cable that may already be present and re-engineer it as IP to deliver additional capability also function well as a sensible compromise between emerging technology benefit and current infrastructure constraint. Site-wide survey needs to be conducted to determine the most feasible and viable connectivity solution and to ensure the system selected is best value without unrealistically low installation costs.
Around the world, the targeted installation of a state-of-the-art video intercom system across multifamily properties is no longer an amenity; it is a security, operational efficiency, and resident satisfaction necessity. The variety of connectivity options – wired, wireless, IP, and cellular – with their respective advantages to serve various property needs and infrastructure realities. While IP-based cloud-managed systems are increasingly the norm with their scalability and first-rate features like remote management and mobile app access, the ideal system for your property always hinges on careful consideration of your specific build, budget, and future plans. By being aware of these technology imbalances and making a point to include issues like privacy, data protection, reliability, and ADA compliance in their deliberations, owners and property managers can make smart choices that enhance security not only for the better, but actually significantly enhance residents' quality of life as well, which translates to more property value and tenant retention in today's competitive multifamily marketplace.