Campus-wide connectivity unplugs students at Deakin University

Dimension Data, the global ICT solutions and services provider, has solved the challenge of increased mobile device usage at Deakin University while increasing student and staff satisfaction levels with an overhaul of its campus-wide wireless network.

Deakin University has more than 52,000 students and over 5000 staff, distributed across four physical  campuses and the cloud. With each student usually owning multiple devices  – including a laptop, smart phone and tablet – its previous wireless network was straining under the demands of increased mobile device usage, resulting in erratic service-delivery and prohibitive performance. 

William Confalonieri, Chief Digital Officer at Deakin University, said the existing wireless network was an IT service which could not be relied upon – with performance levels he rated ‘mediocre at best’. 

“When it comes to wireless connectivity, this project was not only about fixing a frustration, but improving the learning experience for our students,” Confalonieri said.

In order to address the connectivity issues which left Deakin with only 28 per cent wireless coverage across its campuses, Confalonieri said he engaged Dimension Data to develop a solution which would meet the university’s wireless challenges; a project he dubbed ‘Deakin Connected’.

“The Deakin Connected initiative aimed to make all our connectivity dreams a reality. When you have huge ambitions and big plans you need a partner; you cannot do it alone. Dimension Data has played that role perfectly.

“With more than 52,000 students and more than 5000 staff across five campuses, a reliable and fast wireless network is vital in providing the connectivity we need to deliver the very best student learning experience,” Confalonieri said.

Gregg Sultana, National Manager, Networking at Dimension Data Australia, said in order to provide coverage in all main student areas and address ‘black-spots’ on the campus, more than 500 new wireless access points were installed along with an upgrade of over 100 existing points – all of which are managed by wireless LAN controllers.

“We needed to address the poor coverage and performance of the existing solution,” Sultana said. “To do that, we performed a wireless survey, which consists of an onsite walk around to understand any of the physical limitations of the environment, as well as a predictive analysis using our site survey tools.”

Sultana said the new wireless infrastructure allowed more than 30,000 devices to be connected to the network simultaneously and had increased wireless coverage across the whole university to 82 per cent, with up to 91 per cent coverage in student areas.

“Deakin is a young, inspiring and innovative university with great ambitions,” Confalonieri said. “A seamless online experience is important to our students and staff, and a dependable wireless network is an imperative part of bringing to life a number of new projects.

“Now, we are in a very strong position and we can push the boundaries. Thanks to this connectivity, we are working with immersive reality, the Internet of Things and with artificial intelligence – the Deakin Connected initiative starts to make everything possible,” he said.

In 2014, the project was also awarded Deakin’s Vice Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Achievement.