Institutions of higher education have something figured out – they need campus-wide, reliable, high-speed internet to attract students, faculty, and, increasingly, private enterprises who want to collaborate with universities. Connectivity has emerged as a cornerstone of academic excellence, and seamless communication and data exchange within university settings has sparked a compelling shift towards private cellular networks (PCN). With the rise in the number of connected devices per person, ranging from smartphones and tablets to IoT-enabled gadgets, campuses are embracing the potential of private networks to enhance student learning experiences, streamline administrative operations, and build community relations.
“Every college and university has experienced dramatic increases in wireless needs from our mobile-first communities.” Tracy Futhey, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Duke University
Advantages of Implementing a PCN in Higher Education
There are many advantages to deploying a private cellular network in a university setting.
Private cellular networks enable educational institutions to have better control over their network infrastructure, leading to improved connectivity and coverage on campus. By deploying their own cellular infrastructure, universities can optimize network design, strategically place antennas, prioritize areas with high user density, eliminate dead zones, and ensure a seamless and reliable wireless experience for students, faculty, and staff. Stadiums, with a large number of users for limited periods of time, can be adequately designed to support huge volumes of data. The building of innovation hubs, university partnerships with the private sector, can be constructed with the needs of member enterprises in addition to the student body, taken into account from the ground up.
With sensitive student and research data, security and data privacy are paramount in educational institutions. The isolation of PCNs minimizes the risk of external cyber threats and unauthorized access to network resources and accounts.
Universities can customize different applications and services, allocate bandwidth according to usage patterns, and customize Quality of Service (QoS) settings for various users or devices. This level of control ensures that critical applications receive optimal settings.
PCNs can play a crucial role in ensuring safety on campus. Networks can support communication between students, faculty, and security personnel during emergencies or crises. Moreover, private networks can prioritize emergency calls and data traffic, guaranteeing that essential communication channels remain available even during high network loads.
While setting up a private cellular network requires an initial upfront investment, it can lead to long-term cost efficiencies. Private networks can offer lower operational costs compared to relying on public cellular carriers, especially when considering data consumption by a large number of users. Additionally, as the educational institution grows or changes its requirements, private networks offer greater scalability than public ones, allowing for easy expansion and adaptation of the network infrastructure as needed.
Best Practices for Implementing in Higher Education
Implementing a PCN at the university level requires a strategic approach, which should begin with a thorough network assessment that evaluates the current network infrastructure, identifies any connectivity gaps, and understands the specific requirements and challenges of the campus environment. Engaging with IT experts or network consultants can provide valuable insights into the school’s needs and future growth projections. Armed with a complete understanding of the network landscape, administrators can make well-informed decisions and tailor the PCN deployment to align with their unique goals.
Equally crucial is the selection of the right technology and vendor. Schools should explore various solutions available in the market, considering factors such as coverage, capacity, and compatibility with existing devices. Researching reputable vendors with experience in deploying PCNs in educational settings is essential. Opting for vendors that offer reliable support, maintenance services, and a comprehensive understanding of the specific needs ensures a smooth and successful implementation.
Once the PCN is operational, continuous monitoring and effective network performance management become imperative. Utilizing network monitoring tools and performance analytics allows administrators to identify and address potential issues before they escalate proactively. Real-time monitoring ensures adequate bandwidth allocation during peak usage periods and identifies areas where coverage may need improvement. Regular network performance assessments enable data-driven decisions for ongoing enhancements and optimizations, providing students and staff with an efficient and reliable network experience.
The second most popular industry globally for deploying private cellular networks is education (K-12 and Higher Learning), only surpassed by manufacturing. Private Mobile Networks, GSA, May 2023
What Challenges Do Colleges Face?
There are a number of challenges that universities face when attempting to improve campus wireless connectivity, mainly focusing on the student population (and associated numbers of teachers and staff), the size and layout of the campus, the types of buildings, and the use cases.
The initial challenge is to ensure consistent and robust indoor coverage. University campuses have a variety of buildings, many made of thick walls and materials that block cellular signals. Providing the right blend of wireless networks will be technically challenging, requiring careful planning.
Providing sufficient coverage during peak traffic times, often at the start or end of classes, will be a concern for network engineers, as will enabling seamless roaming across campus.
Universities handle sensitive data, including student records, research data, and confidential information. Ensuring data security and privacy requires robust encryption, authentication, and access control mechanisms to protect data from unauthorized access and cyber threats.
What Use Cases Are Seen on Campuses?
Private cellular networks offer numerous use cases for university campuses, enhancing communication, safety, and overall campus experience.
- Coverage and capacity for students, faculty, and staff
- IoT devices for asset tracking, environmental monitoring, and smart building management
- Campus security and safety
- Research and innovation at innovation labs
- Mobile applications for accessing campus resources and services
- Smart parking, letting drivers know where cars can be parked
- AR/VR labs for immersive educational experiences
- Digital signage, allowing administrators to provide up-to-date information easily
- Stadiums, ensuring a positive game experience for fans
Who’s Already Deployed PCNs?
A few examples of university-deployed private networks include:
- Howard University worked with Samsung and Amdocs to deploy a CBRS-based LTE network providing coverage to the more than 6,000 students, staff, and visitors on the Washington, D.C. campus.
“We’re pleased that Samsung’s CBRS technology was able to quickly deliver secure and reliable wireless connectivity for the students, faculty, and visitors of Howard University.” Imran Akbar, Vice President and Head of New Business Team, Networks Business, Samsung Electronics America
- Northeastern University in Boston deployed a ‘private 5G network fully automated through artificial intelligence (AI)’ with the aid of NVIDIA and Dell Technologies. The network is O-RAN-compliant and is available to test IoT and 6G technologies.
“Northeastern’s Open6G is at the forefront of innovation in Open RAN testing, architectures, algorithms, software, and experimentation. Together with our partners, we are creating an innovation and testing ecosystem that will continue to serve the federal government, industry, and academia.” Tommaso Melodia, Director of Northeastern’s Institute for the Wireless Internet of Things.
- The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has built a private 5G network to expand its Connected Systems Institute (CSI) research facility to connect IoT sensors and controls. Ericsson, Rockwell, and UScellular are collaborating with the university to find new digital manufacturing solutions for Industry 4.0.
“This is an incredible opportunity to bring our wireless expertise in private cellular networks to advance the vision in smart manufacturing developed by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Connected Systems Institute.” Kim Kerr, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Sales and Operations for UScellular.
- California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) worked with AWS and Federated Wireless to ‘enhance bandwidth and advance connectivity across the San Luis Obispo, California, campus.’ The Cal Poly Digital Transformation Hub ‘solves real-world challenges, further accelerating the adoption of technologies such as cloud, edge, and Internet of Things (IoT) for public sector organizations.’
“Cal Poly continues to lead in the development of a digital campus. We’re driving innovation for smart buildings and smart agriculture by introducing new devices and applications, and now we have a more reliable way to get data from point A to point B.” Bill Britton, Cal Poly’s Vice President for Information Technology Services and Chief Information Officer.
Conclusion
Looking ahead, the implementation of PCNs in higher education institutions promises to revolutionize the academic landscape. As connectivity continues to be a driving force in attracting students, faculty, and private enterprises, campuses are recognizing the transformative potential of PCNs. The advantages of deploying PCNs in universities are numerous, and while challenges exist, they are surmountable with proper planning, execution, and management. PCNs will continue facilitating research and innovation, supporting smart campus initiatives, and enabling immersive educational experiences through AR/VR labs. As we move into the future, universities must be prepared to fully adapt and embrace the potential of private cellular networks.
