Click here to receive your FREE subscription to Campus Technology
Research
Next-gen WiFi Expected To Be in 99% of North American Campuses by 2013
5/5/2008
Although the wireless standard 802.11n is found in less than 3 percent of North American universities currently, it will be available in 99 percent by 2013, according to a new study by ABI Research. According to the research firm, the increases are driven by a variety of needs and demands in both K-12 and higher education.
The IEEE standard is expected to be officially ratified in 2009, although vendors are already releasing compatible products based on early drafts of the specifications.
"ABI Research believes that wi-fi access point and controller equipment revenue in the global higher education market will skyrocket from $137 million in 2007 to $837 million in 2013," said Stan Schatt, vice president and research director.
North American schools have made most of the early running in WiFi adoption, but the rest of the world, led by Europe, is rapidly catching up. However, European adoption may be slowed slightly owing to parental and governmental concerns about potential health issues.
Motivations for deploying WiFi in schools and colleges vary widely. Greater security is in demand, especially video surveillance. K-12 schools are embracing an "anytime-anywhere learning" philosophy, and they are placing emphasis on providing networked computers to as many students as possible. Universities, clearly the leading early adopters, are finding that WiFi connectivity is a recruitment requirement for many students.
Dian Schaffhauser is a writer who covers technology and business. Send your higher education technology news to her at dian@dischaffhauser.com.
Cite this Site
copy text (above) for proper citation
Recommended Reading
- Scripting Gurus Debate Dynamic Languages
Tim Bray, co-inventor of XML and Sun Microsystems' director of Web technologies, hosted a lively post-Script Bowl panel discussion on the future of dynamic scripting languages at this year's JavaOne Conference.
- Northcentral University Adds Campus Security Specialization
Northcentral University, which offers higher education degrees earned online, announced the introduction of a new master's and doctoral business degree specialization, Business, Corporate and Campus Security. The university focuses on the education needs of law enforcement and security professionals.
- RIAA Outsources Fingering of Students Who Share Music Illegally
The RIAA is outsourcing the hunt for music thieves. Its largest target currently is those who operate from within colleges and universities, a move that has piqued the attention of Educause.
- Microsoft Expands Education Footprint in Asia Pacific Region
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates announced new partnerships to extend accessibility and computer literacy in the Asia Pacific region during a speech in Jakarta at a government leader gathering earlier this week.
- IT Struggling Over Security, Compliance
IT pros are having a hard time balancing security, software patch management and IT auditing with a host of other duties, according to a survey released Monday by Shavlik Technologies.
- Toronto College Upgrades Network with Gigabit Ethernet Wireless Links
Toronto-based George Brown College has gone public about its deployment of six BridgeWave GE60 wireless links to upgrade its campus-wide network.
