Wireless upgrade at UA more than 50% complete

A project to modernize and update the University of Arkansas campus network infrastructure is now more than 50% complete.

The Achieve IT: Network Foundations plan is modernizing the UA network by replacing and upgrading the wired and wireless network to provide greater reliability and mobility.

Recent upgrades to the Arkansas Union and the completion of all buildings within the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences helped push this project past the midway point. Since August, 84 campus buildings have been upgraded with another 35 scheduled for completion before the end of December. As of November, more than 2,700 new wireless access points have been installed.

“We’re excited by the progress of this project,” said Elon Turner, director of infrastructure systems for IT Services at the UA. “We expect our momentum will only increase as the fall semester comes to a close.”

UA officials said the need for wireless connectivity is greater than ever as more than 27,000 students — with an average of five wireless devices each — spend their days on campus.