Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question that is not answered below, please do not hesitate to reach out at Info@MConsultingGroup.com
Q: What service area do you cover?
A: While we are based in Florida, we really have no pre-defined service area. If you are a homeowner or condominium association anywhere in the country, we are happy to provide consulting services to improve your telecommunication experience.
Q: Why should we hire a consultant?
A: Whether your association is large or small, you have or are forming a Media Committee, a qualified telecommunication consultant is of paramount importance. Not only does a qualified telecommunication consultant provide you with an advocate in your corner, the wealth of knowledge, experience, and services an association receives comes at no cost. From implementation plans to resident surveys, from RFP creation to installation coordination, we ask, “why wouldn’t you hire a consultant?”
Q: Is there a place for a coax?
A: While a fiber-optic infrastructure is the very best for any association, there is a place for coax. However, that ‘place’ is very small. The most common reason is timing, in that an association does not have enough time to install a new fiber infrastructure before a current provider agreement expires. The other reason is disruption to mature landscaping, however, this is a myth. With todays directional boring techniques and machinery, landscapes return to normal in a very short time.
It is important to note that no new communities are being built with a coaxial infrastructure.
Q: We don’t need a consultant. We are just renewing. What benefit is there?
A: There is tremendous benefit to hiring a qualified consultant, even if you are just renewing. Most incumbent providers, who you may have had a business relationship with for decades, bank on all their customers being quick and easy renewals. The enticement of a simple five year contract extension should always be looked at with some skepticism. We suggest looking at the bigger picture. Simply engaging in consecutive five year renewals could leave your association falling behind your neighbors with sub-par products and services on a sub-par network. Switching to a new longer term agreement may be the right choice.
Q: Why should we enter into a bulk agreement and lose our choice?
A: If you are currently a retail property, the main reason is cost. Most double play (TV and Internet) retail customers pay an average price between $130 - $250/month. A bulk agreement for those same services is between $50 - $80/month depending on the market.
When it comes to choice, most communities only have one provider on the property, and any other potential provider would not just build to an individual homeowner’s property; it is all or nothing. So there really is no choice. It is just an illusion.
Q: A new bulk agreement is 8, 9, 10 years. We don’t want TV service for that long. So what do we do?
A: When we negotiate for our customers, we have the provider add opt out language to the agreement that allows for dropping TV service after a period of time. However, we have yet to see a community drop TV when included in a bulk agreement. The reason is cost. Your local NBC or CBS affiliate is the same no matter what platform you watch. So why spend $80-$120 on a streaming platform when you can bulk the same channel lineup or better for $35-55! And remember, all TV these days is technically ‘streaming.’
Q: Do you survey our residents?
A: One of the services we provide is to survey the residents and get the ‘voice of the community’. The results of which is provided to the Board and Media Committee so they can make an informed decision as to the services they want to provide in a new services agreement.
Q: Why would we sign for 10 years when technology is changing so rapidly?
A: Our customers’ agreements have a Technology Clause. This legal language makes sure communities receive updated equipment and services periodically to keep up with what is currently offered in the marketplace. Also, most modern day equipment, such as set-top boxes, are no more than wi-fi enabled communication devices that are remotely flashable by the service provider with updated software. DVR content is now stored in the cloud, so on-site hard drives are a thing of the past. The most important service for todays customer is a reliable, stable, and fast internet connection.
The other reason is price. The initial price is considerably lower than retail, and will remain lower than retail for 10 years. The average price increase for retail is 8%-12% per year. We will lock in an annual price increase between 3%-5% for 10 years, which is substantially lower.
Q: What are your different levels of service and how much do you charge?
A: We have no differing levels of consulting services. You get over 130 years of combined knowledge and experience at no out of pocket cost to your association. We collect our fee directly from the service provider as part of their cost of sales.
