UNE goes wireless

February 21, 2007

UNE staff and students can now send and receive emails from the lawns of Booloominbah or download documents over coffee, thanks to the installation of a wireless computer network on campus.

The ability to connect computers via wireless networks has become common on laptops, personal digital assistants and mobile phones. UNE has sought to capitalize on this trend by establishing a wireless network on campus, as well as overhauling the university’s existing computer network. As the upgrade of UNE’s computer network continues, more and more of the Armidale campus will be covered by wireless.

Gordon Smith, Principal IT Officer at UNE, said the wireless network had aroused great interest among staff and students.

“They want to be able to move around the campus with their laptops and still be able to access their documents and emails," he said. "It saves a lot of time and makes sense for people to be able to continue working wherever they may be.”

Students especially are set to benefit from the new network, which will improve their access to information and their ability to use technology effectively.

“Laptops are becoming easier to use, and when you combine that with the flexibility and ease-of-use wireless connection offers, students have an incentive to make greater use of IT resources as part of their study,” Mr Smith said.

The wireless network is also great news for external students, who will be able to use their laptops to connect to the network while visiting the campus for residential schools.

The roll-out of the wireless network at UNE will continue throughout the year, with the whole campus expected to be wireless accessible by the end of the year.

Posted by Kate Nash at February 21, 2007 11:33 AM