COLLEGES CONTINUE T0 EXPAND CAMPUS WIRELESS NETWORKS.

Despite the pervasiveness of wireless networks on campus, colleges and universities continue to aggressively build them out to expand coverage and eliminate areas of poor reception. That is one of the key findings from the latest survey of member schools by ACUTA, the Association for Communications Technology Professionals in Higher Education.

Interestingly, all the institutions surveyed have wireless networks currently in place, providing anywhere from 10 percent coverage to full coverage of their campuses. Yet 69 percent of the schools say they will add to or enhance their current networks within six months. Another 18 percent plan additions or enhancements within a year.

ACUTA surveyed attendees at its annual Fall Seminars, which focused on converged mobile communications issues. Attendees represented small and large public and private institutions. ACUTA, the only national association committed to serving the needs of higher education communications technology professionals, represents nearly 2,000 individuals at 770 institutions.

The most common complaints about their wireless networks that the surveyed communications professionals noted concern spotty or incomplete coverage, reported by 55 percent, dropped connections, cited by 21 percent, and logon difficulties and network speeds, each cited by 17 percent. The average wireless network coverage among all the surveyed schools was 70 percent of their campuses, but for the 28 percent of schools that reported no wireless network complaints, the average campus coverage was 84 percent.

In terms of their priorities as they move forward with their network enhancements, 79 percent said increasing the coverage zone was a top priority. Fifty-two percent are looking to eliminate coverage gaps, and 45 percent want to improve their networks, security.

Finally, the survey showed that funding isn't a major impediment to wireless network improvement plans. Thirty-five percent of surveyed schools say funding isn't an issue at all, while another 24 percent say it has slowed their planning only slightly. Another 28 percent say funding concerns have significantly slowed their planning, but no school reported that plans had to be shelved due to funding limitations.

"Because of the importance of wireless networks on campuses today, ACUTA members realize how essential it is to assure good coverage and quality performance," said Jeri Semer, executive director of ACUTA. "That is why ACUTA continues to play such a key role in enabling technology information sharing among our members, so that they can establish networks that truly enhance the missions of their schools."

About ACUTA ACUTA, the Association for Communications Technology Professionals in Higher Education, is an international non-profit educational association serving colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to support higher education communications technology professionals in contributing to the achievement of the strategic mission of their institutions. ACUTA represents nearly 2000 individuals at some 770 institutions of higher education, with members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the 50 largest U.S. institutions. ACUTA's Corporate Affiliate members represent all categories of communications technology vendors serving the college/university market.

For more information, visit http://www.acuta.org or call 859/278-3338.