6 Telecom Questions Every Business Should Ask Before Leasing Office Space in NYC
Few things frustrate office tenants more than unreliable internet or dropped video calls — especially in a city where time is money. In New York City, this problem can be surprisingly common. Some neighborhoods still rely on outdated telecom infrastructure, with limited service providers and slow connections that simply don’t meet modern business demands.
When touring office space, it’s tempting to focus on rent, layout, or amenities. But in today’s digital workplace, connectivity is every bit as important as square footage. A modern company needs fast internet, reliable VoIP, secure networking, and sufficient bandwidth to support hybrid work, streaming, and cloud storage.
Before you commit to a lease, take the time to understand the building’s communications capabilities. The following six questions will help you — and your broker — identify properties that meet your technological requirements from day one.
1. Which Internet Providers Serve the Building?
Most tenants rely on the building’s existing telecom network, but that setup may not always meet your business needs. Availability and quality vary widely from one property to another. Some Class A buildings have direct fiber-optic connections from multiple providers, while older Midtown South loft buildings may still depend on outdated copper lines.
Ask your commercial real estate broker to research:
- Which internet service providers (ISPs) are connected to the building
- Whether the building supports fiber-optic, cable, or DSL connections
- Average upload and download speeds
- Service reliability and typical downtime
- Installation lead times and costs
A knowledgeable broker will also check if your prospective landlord has exclusive agreements with certain telecom companies, which can limit your choices or increase costs.
Once you select a provider, the telecommunications company handles the wiring and activation of your phones, cable, and internet. Your IT team or technology vendor will then configure your internal network, servers, and backup systems, ensuring data security and minimal downtime.
Pro Tip: Ask your broker which buildings in your target area are known for strong telecom infrastructure. For instance, new construction in Hudson Yards and Midtown East often offers multiple fiber options, while older prewar buildings may require additional cabling to achieve the same performance.
2. How Much Bandwidth Does Your Business Need?
Bandwidth determines how much data your connection can send and receive at once. If it’s insufficient, you’ll notice slow file transfers, frozen video meetings, or voice call dropouts — all of which can disrupt operations and client communication.
Calculating the right bandwidth depends on your industry and workflow. Consider the number of employees, the type of work performed, and how many devices will connect simultaneously. A good rule of thumb:
- Standard office use (email, browsing, cloud apps): at least 15 Mbps download / 5 Mbps upload per device
- Heavy file sharing or frequent video calls: 100–200 Mbps per user
- Media production or trading firms: fiber service with 1,000+ Mbps
If your business relies on cloud-based systems — such as Google Drive, Microsoft 365, or Salesforce — backups and large uploads can slow down other tasks during business hours. This becomes even more critical for companies using video conferencing platforms like Zoom or Teams, where real-time performance matters.
Many business owners underestimate their actual usage. A company with 15 employees might assume a 200 Mbps plan is adequate, but once you factor in automatic software updates, VPN connections, and simultaneous video meetings, performance can quickly degrade.
Example: One law firm in Midtown discovered that its VoIP phone calls were dropping every afternoon. The issue wasn’t faulty equipment — it was insufficient bandwidth. After upgrading from cable to fiber, call quality and staff productivity improved immediately.
3. Do You Need Extra Bandwidth for Certain Operations?
Some industries have bandwidth demands far above average. If your business depends on real-time collaboration, data streaming, or trading activity, redundancy and speed become mission-critical.
Consider whether your company fits one of these categories:
- Creative and marketing agencies: Frequently transfer large video or graphic files.
- Public relations and media firms: Need smooth access to cloud-based editing and publishing tools.
- Financial services firms and hedge funds: Depend on ultra-fast, low-latency data connections for trading and analytics.
Even a brief outage can be costly. High-frequency trading firms, for instance, can lose significant revenue if connectivity fails during market hours. For them, redundancy — having more than one provider — isn’t optional.
When evaluating office buildings, your broker should confirm:
- Whether the property supports dual-entry fiber lines from different carriers
- The average downtime experienced by tenants
- If any nearby data centers or exchanges improve latency
Example: Some financial tenants choose office locations near data centers on Hudson Street or in the Financial District to minimize transmission delays by milliseconds. That physical proximity can make a measurable difference in trading efficiency.
Your broker can identify buildings with multiple telecom providers or dual fiber loops, ensuring you stay connected even during an outage or maintenance event.
4. Will You Host Servers On-Site or in the Cloud?
Your data storage strategy directly impacts your space and infrastructure requirements. Many companies today opt for cloud hosting — Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure — because it eliminates the need for on-site servers. It’s efficient, scalable, and less dependent on the physical building.
However, certain firms — especially those dealing with confidential data or real-time operations — still prefer on-site servers. If that’s the case, you’ll need to ensure your new office can accommodate them.
Confirm that your space offers:
- Adequate electrical capacity for continuous operation
- 24/7 cooling and ventilation in the server room to prevent overheating
- Secure, lockable server closets or racks
- Reliable backup power or access to building generators
Overheating can lead to premature equipment failure or data loss, so cooling is essential. If your new office lacks a dedicated HVAC zone for the server closet, the landlord may need to install supplemental air conditioning — something to negotiate early.
Upgrading to modern, energy-efficient servers can also reduce cooling needs and electrical costs. A reputable technology consultant can help assess whether to maintain on-site infrastructure or transition to a managed cloud solution.
Example: A creative agency relocating to SoHo discovered that its old server hardware generated too much heat for the new space’s limited ventilation. Switching to cloud storage not only solved the problem but also reduced monthly operating costs by 20%.
5. Do You Need Cable or Streaming TV Service?
Cable television may sound old-fashioned, but for many businesses, it’s still essential. Access to real-time news and market data remains critical across several industries:
- Financial firms rely on Bloomberg, CNBC, and Fox Business for live updates.
- Public relations and advertising agencies need to monitor breaking stories.
- Restaurants, lounges, and fitness studios use cable or streaming TV to engage customers.
Even if you plan to use streaming platforms instead of traditional cable, confirm whether the building supports sufficient bandwidth to handle multiple streams simultaneously.
Ask your broker whether the property already has wiring for at least one provider — typically Spectrum, Verizon Fios, or RCN — and whether it’s possible to expand service if needed.
Tip: Some landlords have pre-installed coaxial or fiber lines for one provider. If your preferred network isn’t connected, installation may require landlord approval, which can take time. Factor that into your move-in schedule.
6. What Telecom or Cabling Work Is the Landlord Responsible For?
Tenants often assume the landlord will handle all telecom and electrical upgrades — but that’s rarely the case. Most landlords deliver a standard electrical layout under a tenant improvement allowance (TIA), but telecom and data cabling usually fall to the tenant.
Here’s what to clarify before signing a lease:
- Who pays for telecom wiring: Most landlords won’t credit telecom cabling in the TIA.
- Electrical capacity: Older buildings might need upgrades to support higher power loads.
- Timing: Installation delays can push back your move-in date.
For a typical white-box space, the landlord handles electrical distribution and basic outlets, while the tenant installs structured cabling for data and phones. Coordinating both early can save headaches — and costly change orders — later.
Example: A Midtown firm leased a prebuilt office but didn’t confirm telecom readiness. On move-in day, their provider discovered no data drops were installed. The delay cost two weeks of productivity and several thousand dollars in rush installation fees.
In some cases, having the landlord manage cabling during the build-out can be more efficient, even if you pay for it through the improvement allowance. The work is coordinated through approved contractors who are familiar with the building’s systems, which helps avoid compliance or access issues later.
The Bottom Line
Reliable connectivity is as critical to your operations as a good location or fair lease terms. It powers communication, collaboration, and client service — all the elements that keep your business competitive in New York’s fast-paced market.
When you’re touring spaces, don’t stop at the aesthetic features like high ceilings, exposed brick, or skyline views. Ask about:
- The building’s internet service providers
- Bandwidth capacity and redundancy
- Data cabling and electrical readiness
- Proximity to data centers or exchanges
By discussing these topics early, your broker can filter out buildings that don’t meet your standards — saving time and potential frustration down the road.
A thoughtful broker will not only help you find a space that fits your size and budget but also ensure it supports your technology infrastructure from day one. The right space will provide the speed, reliability, and flexibility your team needs to work efficiently — whether in the office or remotely.
Final Thought: In an era where digital operations define success, your office’s connectivity is more than a convenience — it’s part of your competitive edge. Make telecom discussions a key part of your leasing process, and you’ll avoid costly surprises while setting your business up for long-term success.
Looking for expert guidance? Explore Manhattan office space listings and connect with a broker who can help evaluate telecom options in each building.
