Wi-Fi Overhaul: The Internet Takes Flight
By Brandon Ampel
Sometimes, the collective moans on campus when trying to load websites or download videos make it seem that the Wi-Fi at Reinhardt University is one of the most complained-about issues facing our campus. Trying to access the internet and complete homework in the dorms has been an extreme test of patience for students the majority of this semester. Faculty and students have also been facing issues with slow loading and other glitches in some classrooms this spring. For example, faculty member and ASO Director Tunji Adesesan told me that when a friend of his from Nigeria visited, he was disappointed in Reinhardt’s Wi-Fi capabilities at this school. Apparently, the Wi-Fi in the school where he works in Nigeria is faster than it is here.
Adesesan believes our Wi-Fi is as slow as a snail and that we need to get this problem fixed. Has Reinhardt outgrown its current internet bandwidth? Are all of our laptops, tablets and phones overloading the school’s servers? These complaints are quite com-mon this semester, but hopefully, after this semester, they will be a thing of the past. Thankfully, students, faculty and staff will be happy to hear that something is being done about it.
According to David Doster, Reinhardt’s IT Director, the university installed most of the Wi-Fi points in 2007. They operate at 2.4 gigahertz, which is the same frequency as Bluetooth and most gaming controllers, which makes interference a big problem.
At that time, nine years ago, the university was expecting students to come onto campus with a single laptop, so the bandwidth is not as large as it should be for all the devices students (as well as faculty and staff) actually have and use today.
Readers will be happy to know that the IT Department will be installing the latest and greatest Wi-Fi equipment this summer, according to Doster. Currently, the main issues with the Wi-Fi problem affect the residences, the classrooms, and the commuter lounge specifically, and this new technological solution should solve the respective problems of every one of them.
An example of the differnet Wi-Fi networks available on campus.
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