Networking & Wireless

Seneca College Transitioning to WiFi 6

The college is utilizing the latest generation of Aruba's WiFi access points to boost its network capabilities to handle more devices and boost connectivity speeds.

• By Sara Friedman
• 09/19/19

Nonprofit Wi-Fi Alliance just launched the Wi-Fi Certified 6 program on Sept. 16, but several educational institutions are already using WiFi 6 hardware to improve their wireless network capabilities, according to wireless technology provider Aruba. The company recently announced that more than 400 educational institutions have adopted the company's WiFi 6 access points (APs), which first became available in November 2018.

WiFi 6, which is also known as 802.11ax, is the next generation standard of wireless connectivity. The new version of the standard is designed to help institutions meet the needs of mobile devices while reducing costs and energy consumption and accommodating Internet of Things multiprotocol connectivity.

Seneca College is an early adopter of Aruba's WiFi 6 APs. The college has already modernized of one its campus buildings, which is a mix of classrooms and faculty offices, to an all WiFi environment.

A newly planned administrative building is utilizing an open office concept that will operate in a completely untethered environment using Aruba's WiFi 6 capabilities when it is commissioned in the summer of 2020. Seneca College also plans to transition the rest of its campus over to WiFi 6 over the next three years.

"Our strategic plan places emphasis on leading through excellence with a focus on quality, innovation in teaching and learning, and determination to improve continuously," said Radha Krishnan, associate vice president of Information Services at Seneca College. "We are currently implementing a multi-year digital strategy that aligns well with our strategic plan, and when fully implemented, will transform our student and employee experience."

More information about Aruba's WiFi hardware options can be found here.