Update on Extension of Campus Wireless Service

April 5, 2011

Santa Fe has contracted with wireless installation company Airwave Networks, which is in the midst of installing wireless across the Northwest Campus. It should be live by the end of April, according to Tim Nesler, Associate VP for Information Technology Services.

Buildings A, B, C, K, L, M and N have equipment installed and are completely ready to connect to the Internet.

"Our contractor is still working out the details with the internet service provider," explained Nesler.

In buildings O, P, R, S, V, W, WA, X, and Y, the wiring is complete but equipment is still being installed.

Designs are completed for Buildings E, G, H, I, J, Q, RA, Z, and the Little School, but equipment has not been installed.

And the wireless installation for the Fine Arts Hall has yet to be designed.

Nothing has been done yet on the exterior wireless.

"We're waiting for Facilities to approve the mounting of the antennas on the outsides of the buildings," Nesler said.

There is currently wireless in the Food Court, and Buildings A, B, C, F, H, I, K, L, N, O, P, R, S and the Library.

Those building have wireless, but the coverage is limited. That wireless will be replaced.

The new wireless will cover everything including outdoor areas between the buildings, but probably not out into the parking lots.

"We used 'budget dust' to put in the existing wireless with best-effort support," explained Nesler. "The new wireless takes all that out and is putting in new service across campus. The contractor will manage the entire thing and provide 24/7 technical supports and a user help line."

Nesler added that Santa Fe's IT department will extend the wireless coverage at the centers in the fall.