Rail Yard, a provider of location-based connectivity data, launched its Connectivity Score^®, a rating that measures internet accessibility, speed, and capability for commercial and residential properties. This metric, powered by a proprietary algorithm, aggregates and consolidates vast datasets from internet service providers, building owners and operators, and government sources. It generates a score that makes understanding internet access across multiple locations easy. 

The Connectivity Score is available in various intuitive display options to provide critical location-based data to CRE listing sites and platforms. Building owners, managers, and tenants can now access this measure of internet connectivity at any location nationwide. Connectivity Store offers real-time data feeds from over 2,300 internet providers, covering 933 markets and over 22,000 zip codes, delivering critical information about connectivity options for making real estate decisions.

"Everyone is looking for fast and reliable internet service, and by introducing the Connectivity Score, we provide an easy way to evaluate properties and understand connectivity available at a location," said Christopher Harman, co-founder of Rail Yard. "Demand for reliable internet has never been more critical, and we are excited to offer the Connectivity Score^® to our Commercial Real Estate (CRE) partners who share our commitment to relevant, comprehensive, and accurate commercial property data."

As part of the Connectivity Score launch, Rail Yard will attend the CREtech Conference on September 19-20, 2023, at the Javits Center in New York City to showcase how CRE partners can harness its capabilities to enhance marketing for their properties. Rail Yard offers a branded and white-label version of the Connectivity Score, accessible through a REST API architected for seamless deployment at scale.

While Rail Yard’s Connectivity Score will be a helpful tool to consumers and others who want to understand broadband options, the company is hardly alone. It will face competition from other players such as ROVR Score and WiredScore.

Nevertheless, Rail Yard’s emergence highlights the value that property dwellers and owners place on broadband internet services. In its 2022 NMHC/Grace Hill Renter Preferences Survey Report, NMHC/Kingsley Associates found that 89% of apartment renters cited broadband access as an amenity that would prompt them to pay more to live in one apartment development over another.