1The Challenge
Student Cribs managed two large, flagship accommodation sites in Manchester—Mayfair Court (165 beds) and Chancellors Court (196 beds)—where connectivity was a persistent issue. Despite the high volume of residents (nearly 400 total) relying heavily on the internet, tenants frequently reported Wi-Fi dead spots, slow speeds, and weak signals in various areas of the properties. This lack of robust, reliable connectivity led to significant tenant frustration and created an unnecessary administrative burden for the property management teams, who were constantly fielding IT-related complaints. A high-capacity, consistent solution was urgently required to meet the demands of modern student living and ensure tenant satisfaction.
2Our Solution
Umbrella Broadband secured a 5-year contract and implemented a comprehensive managed connectivity solution. The initial step involved deploying a dedicated 5Gb/5Gb broadband service, providing substantial bandwidth capacity to comfortably handle current and future student usage. Crucially, a full site survey was conducted at both Mayfair Court and Chancellors Court to precisely map existing infrastructure and identify all problem areas and Wi-Fi dead spots. Based on these findings, Umbrella installed additional cabling and professional-grade network equipment to ensure strong, consistent coverage throughout both properties. All new network and Wi-Fi hardware is owned, monitored, and proactively managed by Umbrella. Furthermore, Umbrella provides essential managed services, including a dedicated 24/7 helpdesk for tenants to resolve issues quickly and directly, as well as on-site support when necessary. This end-to-end management approach relieves the Student Cribs team of the burden of broadband maintenance, allowing them to focus on core property management responsibilities.
3The Results
Since the installation of the new managed network, connectivity issues have been virtually eliminated across both Mayfair Court and Chancellors Court. Tenants now benefit from significantly faster speeds and reliable, strong Wi-Fi signal coverage in all areas of the buildings. The most notable outcome is the dramatic reduction in Wi-Fi-related complaints, which have been replaced by positive tenant feedback. The Student Cribs property management team has experienced a substantial decrease in IT-related workload, thanks to Umbrella’s comprehensive managed service and dedicated tenant helpdesk, ensuring a smoother, more efficient operation and higher resident satisfaction.
"Before Umbrella Broadband, we were constantly dealing with tenant complaints about Wi-Fi dead spots and slow speeds across our Manchester sites. Their solution, including the 5Gb dedicated line and professional-grade hardware, has completely transformed the connectivity experience. We’ve seen a dramatic reduction in IT-related complaints, and the 24/7 tenant helpdesk means our property managers can now focus on core responsibilities instead of troubleshooting broadband issues. It’s a genuinely comprehensive and reliable managed service that has significantly improved resident satisfaction."
— Eleanor Davies, Regional Property Manager
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