Wireless internet to be installed in halls

The University plans to install wireless internet into all campus residences.

The “IT services team is midway through an exercise to determine the best way to provide wireless access throughout our accommodation. The overall aim is to provide all residences with wireless connectivity, as we feel it is important that all students have the same experience when connecting to the University network”, a University spokesperson said.

The plan will require approximately 1,000 access points. The University added that the “physical construction of the various residences varies considerably, so completing building surveys and new cabling work is a major task in itself.”

Sean Ruston, the Students’ Union Education Officer, sat on the committee that approved the plan. Ruston said that the University is installing wireless internet as a result of student feedback and as a response to increases in accommodation prices. Ruston said that students expect wireless internet as a “standard service”.

Student opinion on the introduction of wireless internet was largely positive.

Caitlin Jenkins, who lives in Jack Martin, said: “It would be useful to have internet in the kitchens…so
we could sit and work together”.

Claire Charnock, a Rootes resident, said: “I personally think the cable is fine and … quite fast but it would be cool to have wireless in the kitchen”.

The University commented: “Students [are] discouraged from setting up their own wireless routers because many of the security protocols used by default are easily broken. As we roll out the wireless ResNet, this will also become important as the wireless routers will interfere with the [new] wireless access points, making the service worse for everyone.”

Aamir Chaudri, a first-year student living in Rootes said: “It would be really helpful. It’s so annoying
having to use the Ethernet cable.”

A computer scientist living in Rootes commented: “It’s about time. Then again, an additional £6000
a year is a bit expensive for wireless in the kitchens”.