University Information Technology (UIT) completed wireless Internet access installation in Wren Hall over Thanksgiving break.
The installation marks the completion of the first step in Tufts' plan to add wireless Internet to all university buildings within the next three years.
"I really like it," said Caroline McHugh, a sophomore living in Wren, adding that she has experienced no problems so far. "I would say it's the same speed as all the other wireless buildings on campus."
UIT Director of Communications and Organizational Effectiveness Dawn Irish said the department finished installation over the break because workers needed to shut down Internet access in the building to do so.
"We didn't want to do that when the students were here," Irish said. "We understand that students need the Internet to get work done, so we try to interrupt it as little as possible."
While wireless has only been available for about a week, the actual installation of access points, items that connect a wireless signal to the hardwired Internet, began this summer, Irish said. The UIT Network Engineering Group conducted a study of the building to determine the best locations for these points.
"You want to place them around the building to gain optimal access," Irish said.
Tufts' Data Communications Services installed the physical wiring, Irish said, after which workers tested the building for "cold spots," or locations where the signal was weak.
Older buildings like Wren often have thick walls and other features that can interfere with wireless signals. Irish said this presented a challenge that involved "retrofitting everything into an existing structure."
Wren residents have reported that the introduction of wireless Internet has been a positive addition, with one result being an increase in the use of common rooms. Before, "if you wanted to use a computer, your only choice was to stay in your room," said sophomore Maggie Debski, a Wren resident.
Students now can use the Internet at any place in the building. "It definitely improves me being able to work in my common room, which is good at night when my roommate needs to sleep," McHugh said.
Debski also noticed more of her suitemates using the area.
"We all use the common room more often," Debski said. "It's something we haven't really used lately, but with the wireless I can definitely see people using the common room more often to watch TV or do work or just hang out together in general."
Sophomore Rushabh Shah is happy the installation is finally complete. "I've seen it in the makings so I was expecting it, but it's pleasant that it's here," he said.
UIT plans to install 120 more wireless access points on campus between January and March, according to James Roberts, director of network and telecom services. Tufts' Network Engineering Group has not yet finalized the locations of those access points.
The majority of Tufts' residence halls have only wired Internet access, with the exceptions of West and Haskell Halls, which added wireless in 2008.
