IU to improve 'unwired' status

On an unusually sunny day in March, IU graduate student Matt Watson sat outside the Main Library with his laptop computer. Not only was Watson enjoying the weather, he also was enjoying IU's wireless network. \n"What I like best about wireless is that I can sit outside on a day like this using my own laptop," said Watson, gesturing at the wide blue sky dotted with white clouds. \nWhile Watson has been on the wireless network since the middle of fall semester what surprises him most about it is the limited amount of transmitters on campus. The lack of transmitters means wireless access is restricted to certain areas, such as the Main Library, Jordan Hall and Ballantine Hall. \n"I'm surprised that some places don't have wireless access, but I'm sure that'll change in the future," Watson said.\nAccording to a survey by Intel, published in April 2004, IU ranked No. 1 as "the Most Unwired College." The survey was based on the number of undergraduate students, the ratio of computers to undergraduate students and the amount of computers on campus. \nA similar survey, the "25 Most Connected Campuses," was published in October 2004 by Forbes magazine, in conjunction with the Princeton Review. The survey stresses that to keep up with technologically savvy students, universities need to provide more than just high-speed Internet access -- they need to be wireless. \nThis year's winner went to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. Rensselaer requires every student to own a laptop. In addition, the school offers students discounted IBM notebooks, which are pre-loaded with necessary software. \nHowever, IU did not rank highly on Forbes' "25 Most Connected Campuses" list. In fact, IU did not rank at all.\nMichael Lucas, the director of telecommunication systems & operations, stresses even though IU did not rank on Forbes' list does not mean IU cannot compete technologically with other universities. \n"We are still pretty competitive, I'm not sure how they're computing these surveys," Lucas said. "There are currently 860 wireless access points on campus, and we've added more since that survey was taken."\nWithin the next six to nine months, IU hopes to add 300 more wireless access points and in the next two weeks, 65 more wireless access points will be placed in outside areas, Lucas said. \nThe most prominent outdoor wireless access point is on top of the stadium facing toward the southeast, but misses the residential halls on Fee Lane. \n"We currently have a group focusing on the residential halls," said Lucas. \nThe residential halls are a new area that hasn't been penetrated by the wireless system. The original focus of the wireless system was first on classrooms and lecture halls. Next on the list are the outdoor areas of campus. \n"Anywhere where students congregate is where we hope to extend the wireless network," said Lucas. \nWatson mainly uses his laptop at the Main Library and appreciates having a fast connection. \n"I have dial-up at home, so this seems fast to me," he said. \nA complaint among wireless network users is the system will sometimes disconnect the user without any warning. Though it's not a major issue to Watson, he does acknowledge that it can get irritating. \n"It doesn't happen often, but often enough that it's annoying," he said. \nIU junior George Ibekie sat in a bar stool in the newly remodeled lobby of the Main Library. Ibekie is satisfied with the speed and flexibility that wireless Internet offers, but says there is room for improvement. Ibekie's complaints about IU's wireless system are that it needs to be faster and available in more areas. \n"It could be faster and available in more buildings," said Ibekie. "Other universities have it so you can be sitting on the grass with your laptop." \nA laptop enables students to be flexible in changing locations. Students can sit on a plush armchair in the library and work on their own laptops. \n"Instead of waiting for a computer at the library, I have my own laptop," he said. \nIbekie uses his laptop for "pretty much everything" and "everything" ranges from typing a paper at the library to taking notes in class on his laptop. \n"Without wireless Internet, I'd be limited in where I could go," Ibekie said. \nLucas said 10 to 20 new wireless access points are installed every month. Whenever UITS receives a complaint, the situation will be assessed, and a new access point is put in position. \n"It's important that students access information whenever they need to," Lucas said. "We stack up against any university in the country."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Laila Hayat at lhayat@indiana.edu.