Unlock High-Speed Connectivity and Smart Technology for Older and Retrofit Properties
Power, water, phone, and… internet. Over the past few years, reliable internet has become just as essential as any other utility, especially for properties that house residents and guests who expect fast, dependable connectivity. Unfortunately, outdated cabling can’t keep pace with modern digital demands like streaming, video conferencing, and smart devices. Just as old water pipes eventually need to be replaced to keep water flowing, cabling needs upgrading to account for the rising demands of Wi-Fi and internet connections…. Or does it?
Buildings constructed 15–20 years ago or older continue to face issues with outdated infrastructure, costly renovation needs, and frustrated residents or guests. Rather than undertaking expensive and disruptive rewiring projects, many commercial properties are turning to G.hn technology, a smarter, faster, and more cost-effective solution.
At Groove Technology Solutions, we’ve pioneered the use of G.hn for commercial properties, helping hotels, senior living communities, and multifamily residences modernize their networks without tearing down walls. In this article, we break down what G.hn is, how it works, and why it’s revolutionizing property technology.
What is G.hn Technology and How Does it Work?
G.hn (Gigabit Home Networking) is an international standard for high-speed data transmission that uses the wiring already in place inside a building. It can operate over coaxial cables, phone lines, or power lines, though coax is the preferred medium because it supports the highest bandwidth and most stable performance.
Here’s how it works: a fiber circuit is installed at the property’s main distribution point, where it connects to G.hn hardware. That hardware modulates the signal and pushes gigabit-level data through the existing coax, effectively transforming legacy infrastructure into a modern, high-speed network. This allows properties to extend fiber-grade internet connectivity to each unit without the expense and disruption of installing new cabling.
“Think of G.hn as a cheat code for upgrading internet speeds in older buildings. It lets you bring fiber-level performance over existing coax or copper wiring without tearing down walls or doing a costly full rewire.”
– Andy Welker, SME Digital Infrastructure
Why G.hn Matters for Older Properties
Older and historic buildings weren’t built with modern internet in mind, which can make wiring upgrades tricky. G.hn solves this challenge by delivering high-speed connectivity over existing wiring without the need for extensive drilling or damage to the property. This is ideal for preserving a building’s original structure and aesthetic.
While a building from the early 2000s might feel “new,” technology has outpaced much of the cabling used back then. Even properties built in the early 2000s often rely on coaxial or copper wiring, which can’t fully support today’s bandwidth-heavy applications. G.hn works perfectly as a retrofit solution for multi-building properties such as garden-style apartments, townhomes, and senior living communities, where coax layouts are common and fiber upgrades would be costly or disruptive.
How Much Does G.hn Save vs. Traditional Rewiring
When it comes to internet upgrades, rewiring can be one of the biggest expenses a property faces. Traditional rewiring typically runs $600–$1,200 per unit, not including added expenses like sheetrock repair, repainting, and the disruption caused to residents and staff. Those costs add up quickly, especially across larger properties.
G.hn offers a far more cost-effective internet upgrade. Because it uses existing coaxial or copper wiring, installation is equipment-based rather than construction-heavy. On average, this approach comes in at about one-third the cost of a full rewire, while also minimizing downtime. Staff spend less time managing disruptions, while residents and guests experience fewer interruptions.
What Are Some Additional Benefits of G.hn?
Beyond cost savings, G.hn brings several advantages that make it a strong choice for modern properties:
Gigabit Internet Speeds
G.hn delivers gigabit internet speeds of up to 1 Gbps. This speed is more than enough bandwidth for streaming, smart devices, video calls, and business-critical applications for residents, guests, and staff.
“For most residents, a gigabit is more than enough. Even with 20 TVs streaming 4K simultaneously, the network handles it. G.hn delivers the speeds people actually need, without overcomplicating things.”
Reliable Network Infrastructure
Because G.hn uses fiber as the incoming source, it avoids the performance drops and fluctuations often seen with coax-only ISPs. The result is a reliable network infrastructure that residents and staff can count on every day.
“G.hn brings fiber in closer to the endpoints so you avoid the speed fluctuations you get with old copper infrastructure. Residents and staff get consistent, reliable internet that actually performs when they need it.”
Scalability
Whether adding new wings, units, or even entire buildings, G.hn makes it simple to expand without a full infrastructure overhaul. Its flexibility with coax or Cat5 takeovers ensures properties can adapt as demand grows, making it a truly scalable property internet solution.
“G.hn is flexible and scalable. You can start with one building or wing, and easily expand to others later, even if the cable type varies between sections. It adapts to what you already have in place.”
Commercial-Grade Reliability and Security
Not all G.hn solutions are created equal. Groove partners with Positron G.hn, which is built with enterprise-level management and network security. Unlike consumer-grade powerline adapters, which can expose networks to vulnerabilities, this solution is commercially engineered for security and stability. That means properties get faster internet speeds and peace of mind that they will perform.
G.hn also supports the compliance needs of sensitive industries, from senior living communities that rely on connected medical systems, to hotels offering secure guest Wi-Fi, to apartment properties delivering consistent resident internet & Wi-Fi connection. It’s a long-term infrastructure upgrade, not a temporary patch.
Quick Installation and Minimal Disruption
Traditional rewiring can drag on for months, creating construction dust, noise, and endless frustration for residents and staff. In contrast, G.hn is designed for speed. Installations are often complete and live within days to weeks, with timelines driven more by the ISP and shipping than by construction crews.
For communities that can’t afford downtime, this makes G.hn the clear choice for a fast internet installation and a minimal disruption network upgrade.
Ideal for Commercial Properties
Hospitality – Hotels, resorts, and boutique properties often face legacy infrastructure that can’t meet today’s bandwidth demands. Traditional rewiring is invasive, expensive, and slow. G.hn uses existing coaxial wiring to deliver low-latency, high-speed internet property-wide to provide enterprise-grade performance without noisy and messy construction or inflated renovation costs.
Senior Living – Communities for older residents are increasingly adopting smart devices and telehealth solutions to enhance resident care and safety. These advancements rely on reliable, property-wide connectivity. G.hn enables operators to deploy high-speed Wi-Fi networks over existing wiring, minimizing installation time, disruption, & cost. This technology supports critical applications such as medical devices, fall detection systems, communication platforms, and other essential technologies.
Multifamily Properties – Residents expect fast, reliable internet & smart features as standard amenities at their apartment, condo, or student housing community. With nearly half of U.S. employees working remotely at least part-time, plus streaming, gaming, and smart devices driving constant demand, strong bandwidth is no longer optional. G.hn allows property managers to upgrade connectivity quickly and affordably, delivering the high-performance internet experience residents need for both work and play.
Is G.hn Right for Your Property?
G.hn is a strong fit for properties 15+ years old that were built with coaxial or legacy copper wiring. It’s ideal for those who want fiber-level performance without the construction costs. This technology is also a smart option when rewiring is too expensive, too disruptive, or not even possible, such as in historically preserved buildings where tearing into walls isn’t an option.
Upgrade Your Network Without Tearing Down Walls
G.hn delivers fiber-fast speeds at about a third of the cost of traditional rewiring, all with minimal disruption to your property and residents. It’s a modern, scalable solution that meets modern internet demands without the headaches of construction.
Groove Technology Solutions is the leader in property technology upgrades. Our expert team helps senior living communities, hotels, and multifamily properties modernize with ease. Contact Groove today to schedule an assessment of your property’s cabling to find out if G.hn is the right solution to upgrade your network.
