Information Services and Technology (IS&T) initiated a new program in May to increase the coverage and speed of the campus wireless network. The program provided about 500 new wireless access points and upgraded the existing 700 access points to make them faster.
The main group of buildings along the Infinite Corridor will have complete high-speed wireless network coverage this fall; other parts of the campus will have partial coverage. Since this is basically radio technology, there may be some "cold" spots where access doesn't work. These can be reported to IS&T by sending mail to unwired@mit.edu. Three residence halls--East Campus, Bexley and Baker House--were recently renovated and now have complete wireless coverage. Wireless access points were installed in lounges and common areas this summer in five other dormitories--Burton House, MacGregor, Next House, New House and Random Hall.
MIT's wireless deployment began about four years ago and focused primarily on classrooms, libraries and popular common spaces. IS&T started the new program last spring in response to requests from the community for wider coverage and faster connectivity. Working with the Office of Housing, the Dean for Student Life, and many departments, labs and centers, IS&T plans to provide a nearly complete wireless campus by the end of 2005.
For information on how to connect to MITnet using wired or wireless systems, go to http://web.mit.edu/ist/start/mitnet/get-connected.html. To view precise coverage locations, go to http://web.mit.edu/network/wireless-map.html.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on September 15, 2004 (download PDF).
