This fall nearly 20 million students will be attending a college or university. When they arrive on campus the chances are high that they have brought a laptop and a cellphone with them. That’s at least 40 million connected devices going off to school this year, not counting the additional millions of faculty and staff members also returning to campuses. Numbers like that highlight the growing need for robust wireless solutions.
Cellular connection, or the lack there of, can have an impact on productivity. Faculty, staff, and students require a reliable connection in order to participate in the modern university landscape. While some may believe that Wi-Fi networks are sufficient, many students would disagree. University networks can easily get bogged down with traffic. Without a cellular network to absorb some of that traffic, these kinds of slowdowns in data speed can be crippling to productivity.
Let’s not forget that student safety can also be affected by poor service. Without strong connectivity, educational institutions lack the ability to inform and protect their students in a timely manner. Text-alert systems for campus closures, emergency situations, and safety drills are becoming the standard for American campuses but, if a campus is covered with cellular “dead zones”, these alerts fall on deaf ears.
The security capabilities offered by strong wireless solutions go beyond simple text alerts. Virtual guardian apps are just one of these safety features enabled by connectivity. The apps work as a safety hub complete with immediate 911 calls, virtual escorts, location tracking, and public safety assistance. Tools like these give authorities, faculty and students safety solutions that are precise and practical. These outward facing safety features are not limited to a singular app and are sure to evolve alongside wireless technology. For example, FirstNet is a program dedicated to providing 21st century communication technology. As public and personal safety tools become more sophisticated, strong cellular coverage will be required. Without proper cellular solutions, efforts to make campuses safer and more productive will be in vain.
Intenna Systems deploys state-of-the-art in-building wireless solutions for college and university campuses. We custom-tailor all our distributed antenna systems (DAS) to every project and ensure that you get the coverage you need. We give administrators the autonomy over cellular coverage beyond their local cell tower. With traditional cellular carrier solutions, like Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T wireless systems, and future CBRS solutions, Intenna can handle any project. Do not compromise your university’s potential by waiting for the carriers to come to you with a solution. Take the initiative and ask us about a DAS today.