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Third-party Wireless Pilot Program
Overview
Information Technology Services (ITS) is partnering with AT&T and Boingo to initiate pilot programs that will make third-party wireless network services available to guests on campus. The first pilot, with AT&T, begins in August 2009 using the SSID "attwifi" and is expected to last through the fall semester. A second pilot with Boingo is expected to begin during the spring 2010 semester.
The pilot program enables unsponsored guests to purchase wireless network access while on supported areas of campus through a familiar, trusted process that will not place the university at risk. Sponsored guest accounts will continue to be available through departments.
User support for the first pilot is provided by AT&T. If you have difficulty connecting to the third-party wireless network, contact AT&T support at 1-888-888-7520.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use the AT&T campus network (attwifi)?
Configure your laptop or other wireless device to connect to the "attwifi" SSID, then follow the instructions on the AT&T Web site.
How can I provide campus guests with wireless access without charging them?
The current system for sponsored guests remains in place. Departments that would like to provide wireless access for unsponsored guests can purchase coupons for their guests from the Campus Computer Store.
Why can't the university provide a free and open wireless network?
Policies, laws, and operational constraints require the university to identify all users on its networks and to enforce its Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), which states that resources are only used in support of the university mission. Financial constraints also require ITS to focus on the university mission and prevent the university from offering free, unfettered access of Internet resources.
What if a student, faculty member, or sponsored guest is charged by the third-party system before speaking with a university representative?
The AT&T login screen directs students, faculty, staff, and sponsored guests to the university system.
Will this overload the university wireless system?
ITS does not expect third-party usage to overload the system, but as a precaution, third-party users are relegated to a lower priority than university users. Over 10,000 simultaneous university users use the network at peak wireless usage during the day, and only a small fraction of these would be third-party users, which is not enough to impact overall usage. Also, most third-party users will be at public venues designed for their use, such as conference centers and museums.
Will this encourage loitering on campus?
Because users are charged for the service, ITS does not believe that providing third-party wireless access encourages loitering. Austin offers many free wireless locations with easy Internet access.
Will revenues generated upgrade or expand the wireless network?
ITS does not believe there would be sufficient usage by guests to have a substantial impact on revenue. Any revenues would appear in publicly available ITS budget reports and forecasts.
