Dish launches bundled streaming TV, Wi-Fi product for MDUs

Dish Network today announced Dish Fiber, a new bundled service that offers streaming TV and managed Wi-Fi services for multiple dwelling units (MDU) like apartment buildings.

Dish Fiber provides Wi-Fi within individual units as well as throughout the facility. The service also offers provisioning and management of smart home technology including smart locks and thermostats.

The live streaming TV service runs on top of Dish’s SmartBox headend video distribution platform that doesn’t require satellite dishes or a separate coax network. Consumers can pick from a package of 24 channels selected by the property and have the option of upgrading to the full Dish Network experience running on the Hopper hardware. Those packages start at $25 per month.

"The decision of choosing an internet and TV provider has historically been left to residents, which is more complicated and time-consuming for the consumer, and limits property owners' revenue opportunity," said Brian Neylon, group president of Dish TV, in a statement. "By eliminating the common pain points often associated with competing providers, Dish Fiber provides residents with the services they want in one solution, while giving property owners more ways to monetize their highly-valued amenities."

RELATED: Dish builds Netflix, livestreaming TV into its Evolve TV service for hotels

Dish Fiber is available to property owners with no upfront cost and is built to work with existing or upgraded network infrastructure.

Dish Fiber is similar to Evolve, an Android TV-based platform that integrates live linear programming, casting and streaming apps via the Google Play Store. Evolve is targeted at the hospitality industry.

Last week, Dish announced Evolve upgrades that allow guests to stream Netflix in their rooms and watch livestreaming TV on mobile devices while connected to the hotel’s Wi-Fi.