[1]A recent survey by the Wi-Fi Alliance [2] and Wakefield Research [3] discovered that 90 percent of college students consider Wi-Fi access to be essential to their educational success.
As reported in an Online Colleges illustrated infograph, 79 percent of students said that without Wi-Fi service, college would be much more difficult. About three in four students reported that Wi-Fi service helped improve their educational performance and earn them better grades, while 44 percent said they used Wi-Fi to increase their productivity, often using Wi-Fi service to get a head start on an assignment while class is still in session.
Wi-Fi availability is a major determining factor of where students travel to complete their assignments. Fifty-two percent of students said they often travel to coffee shops well-known for reliable connections, while 42 percent reported frequenting bookstores. Thirty-three percent of students said they often study in restaurants that boast solid Wi-Fi connections.
According to ABI Research [4], an increasing number of colleges and universities are investing in Wi-Fi access points and controllers. It is projected that colleges will invest upwards of $837 million worldwide in Wi-Fi technologies this year—a 611-percent increase since 2007.
The research shows that many institutions are transitioning to faster “n” Wi-Fi networks from the formerly popular third-generation “g” networks. Though “n” networks are typically more costly upfront, they could be more cost-effective in the long run, when future upgrades are considered.
A group of leading research universities recently teamed up with their local communities to create the University Community Next Generation Innovation Project [5] (Gig.U). Gig.U is designed to encourage Americans to develop innovative high-speed network services and applications, and strengthen the United States’ global ed-tech impact.
Participating universities benefit from their involvement in Gig.U. Michigan State University [6] (MSU), for example, now has ultra-high-speed internet provided by Spartan-Net, in partnership with DTN Management Co [7]. MSU’s Wi-Fi service has recently expanded to areas surrounding campus where demand is highest, including Lansing and East Lansing.
Another Gig.U partner, Stanford University [8], has benefited by gaining free access to the ultra-high-speed Google Fiber [9]network for its students and faculty members. Stanford has also increased its Wi-Fi service to its residential subdivision of campus, which includes roughly 850 homes.