Keeping its eye on amenities that differentiate its properties in the competitive housing marketplace, KSI Management Corp. has chosen Verizon's all-fiber-optic phone, Internet and entertainment services for residents of more than 7,000 apartments in nearly 20 area communities that KSI manages.

Verizon will wire all the homes with its FiOS all-fiber-optic facilities using the latest in multifamily-unit delivery technology. Over 3,700 of the apartments are considered affordable housing. The latest in service technology is expected to make those units even more attractive to that market segment.

"As the industry pioneer in having our living units wired for connectivity to the three modern telecommunications services from one vendor, we will continually evaluate the marketplace value. We are confident it will help us increase our rental pace and, more importantly, retain our loyal residents," said Cindy Clare, president of KSI Management Corp.

"Having the absolute latest, fastest and best services at our properties provided by a respected brand such as Verizon will instill confidence from our residents. And by offering these services at affordable package rates, we will create additional value in renting a home from KSI."

Installation of transmission facilities will begin promptly under the agreements signed by Verizon Enhanced Communities, Verizon's business unit currently marketing Verizon FiOS Internet and Verizon FiOS TV to both existing properties and new developments. The KSI agreements will make FiOS TV available to existing buildings including The Fields at Westover, an affordable housing community in Falls Church; and The Gramercy at Metropolitan Park in Pentagon City, a 2,582-unit luxury community that is currently under construction and scheduled for completion next year. Additionally, Verizon is deploying FiOS at KSI's newest upscale community, The Metropolitan at Reston Town Center, where KSI Management has begun to advertise Verizon's fiber-optic infrastructure. The community will begin pre-leasing later this summer.

Besides the Metro D.C. retrofits, Verizon just signed a deal with KSI Services Inc., the parent company of KSI Management, which develops residential and commercial properties, to deploy FiOS to Harbor Station, a new 3,987-unit mixed-use community in Prince William County.

"The KSI agreements demonstrate how the Verizon technology integrates with a real estate development company's recognition of consumer expectations in this new age of telecommunications, which can deliver the latest and best in services to large numbers of residents," said Eric Cevis, vice president of Verizon Enhanced Communities. "We're very confident that both KSI and the thousands of people it provides homes to will be thrilled with the services for many years to come."

Verizon FiOS Internet offers connection speeds from up to 2 to 30 megabits per second, and Verizon FiOS TV delivers more than 180 all-digital TV channels, more than 20 high-definition TV channels, music and other advanced features in more than 50 communities nationwide. FiOS TV is considered the paragon of entertainment services. Verizon also will offer a variety of phone services to KSI residents.

KSI develops, owns and manages a significant portfolio of rental apartment communities located in the greater Washington, D.C., area. KSI Management Corp. provides complete management, marketing and maintenance services for its own properties and for third parties on a fee-managed basis.

KSI's multifamily experience includes the acquisition and development of Class-A, market-rate communities and the acquisition and renovation of older, well-located buildings. This significant portfolio of The Fields apartments has been developed utilizing federal tax credits and tax-exempt bond financing. KSI is currently the largest developer of affordable rental properties in the greater Washington, D.C., area.