Syracuse University to Pilot Private Cellular Network in Select Residence Halls, Academic Buildings — Syracuse University News (original) (raw)

Campus & Community

Syracuse University, in partnership with JMA Wireless, will soon install a cutting-edge, 5G private wireless network in select residence halls and academic buildings as part of a pilot program that will run for the duration of the Fall 2022 semester. The pilot program will assess technology aimed at simplifying connectivity, improving bandwidth and increasing coverage for students, faculty and staff, inside and outside the classroom. This initial pilot program will focus on a random group of students selected to participate.

The University, in partnership with JMA Wireless, will install a cutting-edge, 5G private wireless network in select residence halls and academic buildings as part of a pilot program. Photo by Marilyn Hesler, staff photographer

“Technology is among the most rapidly evolving parts of our lives—professionally, personally and recreationally,” says Eric Sedore, interim vice president and chief information officer. “As our community’s needs and expectations change, it is imperative that we align our technology to meet our students, faculty and staff where they are. My colleagues in Information Technology Services [ITS] and I are looking forward to learning from this pilot program, assessing the feedback and applying key learnings to the future of technology on our campus.”

This new technology is being leveraged at various facilities across the United States, including on college campuses and at event facilities and private companies. The pilot program will help the University determine whether its users will broadly adopt and benefit from this technology.

“Given the ever-growing digital nature of teaching, living, learning and research at Syracuse University, now is the time to advance our technology infrastructure,” says Sedore. “I am confident the pilot will provide our community with the elevated experience provided by 5G wireless technology.”

Individuals selected to participate will receive a survey request from ITS to indicate their willingness to opt into the pilot program and identify the phone and laptop models they plan to use to connect to the on-campus network. ITS will monitor adoption rates and collect and assess feedback through the fall semester. The outcomes of the pilot, along with anticipated next steps, will be shared with the campus community in spring 2023.