Case Studies
BT Openzone Guest Solution: University of East Anglia
The Head of Networking in the IT & Computing Services department of the University of East Anglia (UEA) is responsible for the IT needs of the entire campus. With the emergence and increasing importance of wireless technology among users, ranging from students to professors, he was charged with installing a suitable Wi-Fi infrastructure to run across the campus. To do this, he turned to BT Openzone, the award-winning provider of high-speed wireless broadband (Wi-Fi).
The network proved so popular that UEA aimed to reproduce coverage across the entire campus.
The challenge
The Head of Networking in the IT & Computing Services department of the University of East Anglia (UEA) was "passionate about bringing Wi-Fi via the BT Openzone service to the campus".
The UEA has an existing, extensive wireless LAN deployment across its campus site allowing staff and students secure access into the university's information network.
What was missing was a method for university visitors to access the internet in a simple manageable way without compromising the security of the university's network. The BT Openzone Guest solution was recommended by BT, which provides a secure high-speed wireless internet service using existing wireless infrastructure across the university campus.
The solution
He says: "We were keen to partner with a market leader to provide wireless broadband services to visitors and conference delegates on our campus - something I believe we have achieved through this relationship with BT Openzone.
"BT Openzone was deployed to complement University of East Anglia's in-house provision, so members of the public on our campus can use the service when they are at events. As our campus stretches over 320 acres of parkland on the outskirts of Norwich, this sort of technology is essential. Our users are anything from concert goers in our Student Union building to people logging in over lunchtime at one of our eateries covered by the public Wi-Fi network, such as in the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts.
The network proved so popular that UEA aimed to reproduce coverage across the entire campus.
However, Wi-Fi access isn't just about installing a network as part of his job, it's also part of his own lifestyle.
He adds: "I also use Wi-Fi at home since it allows for complete flexibility around the house. I find it particularly useful for catching up with work, and I do work from home some days. It is also useful for instant messaging my friends, cinema and theatre listings as well as nabbing those on-line bargains!"
BT's mobility and convergence vision is to keep people and communities better connected whether at home, in the office or on the move. This means customers will be able to access all their applications and information on their choice of device, using the best network available with a simple and seamless user experience. The BT Openzone installation at UEA is a great example of BT's vision being put into practice.
* Availability of BT Openzone is subject to coverage and you need a wireless-enabled device. Terms and conditions apply.
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