Why iPSK is the Key to Digital Inclusion in Social and Affordable Housing
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In today’s digital world, a reliable internet connection is no longer a luxury—it is a lifeline. From applying for government assistance and managing healthcare appointments to remote learning and staying connected with family, the internet is an essential utility.
However, many residents in social housing face a "digital divide," often caused by the high cost of individual broadband contracts or the technical barriers of complex sign-up processes. Identity PSK (iPSK) is the technology that allows housing providers to bridge this gap, offering secure, high-quality, and affordable managed WiFi at scale.
I. Supporting Digital Inclusion with Simple Access
Removing Technical Barriers for Residents
Digital inclusion starts with accessibility. Many residents, particularly those who are older or less tech-savvy, struggle with complex login screens or the need to manage their own routers.
iPSK simplifies the entire experience. It uses a simple, unique WiFi password for every household. There are no captive portals and no "re-logging in" every few hours. Residents simply enter their password once, and they are online—exactly like a standard home router. This "at-home" experience is essential for making digital services accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical ability.
Managed WiFi: Security Without the Complexity
Housing providers typically have to choose between three methods for building-wide WiFi, but only one truly supports the needs of social housing.
Standard Shared WiFi uses one password for the whole building. This is a significant security risk; if one person leaks the password, every resident's data is vulnerable. Furthermore, it offers no privacy, as neighbors can often "see" each other's devices on the network.
Enterprise WiFi (802.1X) is very secure but far too complex for a residential setting. It requires usernames, passwords, or digital certificates that many consumer devices—like smart TVs or basic smartphones—simply cannot handle.
Identity PSK (iPSK) is the perfect hybrid. It provides the high-level security of an enterprise network with the simplicity of a personal password. Every resident gets their own encrypted segment of the network, ensuring 100% device compatibility while keeping their personal data completely private from their neighbors.
II. Protecting Vulnerable Residents
Privacy and the "Virtual Bubble" (Private Area Networks)
Safety is paramount in social housing. iPSK enables Private Area Networks (PAN), which create a virtual "bubble" around each resident’s devices. Even though the entire building shares the same WiFi infrastructure, iPSK ensures User Isolation.
This means a resident’s smartphone can talk to their tablet or smart speaker, but those devices remain completely invisible to everyone else in the building. This prevents "neighbor-snooping" and protects vulnerable residents from cyber-threats, providing a safe digital environment.
III. Reducing the Operational Burden
Lowering Costs and Support Calls
Individual broadband lines in every unit lead to "frequency noise" and massive interference, which degrades signal quality for everyone. A managed iPSK system uses fewer, higher-quality access points to provide seamless coverage across the entire estate. This reduces hardware maintenance and energy costs while significantly cutting down on support calls related to poor connectivity.
Automating Tenant Management with the Purple App
Housing providers have enough to manage without worrying about WiFi passwords. The Purple app automates the entire process:
- Instant Onboarding: When a new resident moves in, the system automatically generates a unique iPSK and sends it to them via SMS or email.
- Zero-Touch Management: Residents can use the Purple app to manage their own devices or change their password, meaning housing staff never have to get involved in technical support.
- Secure Offboarding: When a tenancy ends, the Purple app automatically revokes that resident’s unique key, ensuring the network remains secure for the next tenant.
Summary: Connectivity for Community Thriving
By implementing iPSK, social housing providers can offer more than just "internet." They provide a secure foundation for employment, education, and social connection. It is a cost-effective way to close the digital divide, protect resident privacy, and modernize building operations through a single, managed platform.
Ready to close the digital divide in your community?
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