High-Density Wi-Fi Project
Quicklink(s)
The Office of Information Technology (OIT) is starting on a multi-year journey to build out a faster, more secure Wi-Fi network across UCI to enable and support our students and faculty.
Online instruction has transformed the way we teach and learn. This change demands that our campus becomes more connected than ever. In August 2022, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) started on a multi-year journey to build out faster, more secure Wi-Fi across UCI to enable and support our students and faculty.
Why is this happening?
Many buildings on campus are not adequately equipped to provide Wi-Fi connectivity fast enough for today’s online demands. As a result, there are several areas of campus with slow or unstable connections. Over the next five years, OIT plans to upgrade 347 floors across 129 buildings, providing a reliable, consistent, high-speed user experience.
What to expect
Upgrades will happen in phases. OIT, working in partnership with school IT directors, is targeting those buildings and floors where the existing Wi-Fi experience causes the most frustration for faculty, students, and researchers. Additional communications and physical signs will be provided for each building before and during installation.
Check the Timeline tab to see the schedule. See which buildings are being worked on, which ones have been completed, and what’s next.
This campus Wi-Fi project is a strategic IT investment for UCI. OIT intends to minimize interruptions to campus operations and communicate well in advance when disruption is required. Now more than ever, it’s important to stay connected.
Goals
- Improve Wi-Fi connectivity on campus
- Provide a reliable, consistent, high-speed user experience
Deliverables
- Recable the campus buildings to handle high-speed network connections with low signal loss.
- Add more Wi-Fi Access Points (APs) in strategic locations on campus prioritizing academic buildings with the lowest-quality Wi-Fi
- Upgrade 347 floors across 129 buildings on campus
Wi-Fi Construction Schedule
- Facilities Management is working on the construction infrastructure to support this project.
- OIT is re-cabling the campus buildings to handle high-speed network connections and installing new Wi-Fi access points.
See which buildings are getting updated next.
(Scroll horizontally if needed to see the full table.)
| Status | Building Name | Floor | Constr. Start | Constr. End | Wi-Fi Activation Start | Wi-Fi Activation End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Completed | Langson Library | 2 | 3-Apr | 14-Apr | 17-Apr | 28-Apr |
| Completed | Social Ecology 2 | 2 | 3-Apr | 14-Apr | 17-Apr | 28-Apr |
| Completed | Cross Cultural Center | 1 | 3-Apr | 14-Apr | 17-Apr | 28-Apr |
| Completed | Cross Cultural Center | 2 | 3-Apr | 14-Apr | 17-Apr | 28-Apr |
| Completed | Langson Library | 3 | 17-Apr | 5-May | 8-May | 19-May |
| Completed | Langson Library | 1 | 17-Apr | 5-May | 8-May | 19-May |
| Completed | Langson Library | 4 | 17-Apr | 5-May | 8-May | 19-May |
| Completed | Langson Library | B | 17-Apr | 5-May | 8-May | 19-May |
| Completed | Social Ecology 2 | 1 | 17-Apr | 5-May | 8-May | 19-May |
| Completed | Social Ecology 2 | 3 | 17-Apr | 5-May | 8-May | 19-May |
| Completed | McGaugh Hall | 1 | 8-May | 26-May | 29-May | 9-Jun |
| Completed | McGaugh Hall | 2 | 8-May | 26-May | 29-May | 9-Jun |
| Completed | McGaugh Hall | 4 | 8-May | 26-May | 29-May | 9-Jun |
| Completed | Social Science Laboratory | 2 | 8-May | 26-May | 29-May | 9-Jun |
| Completed | Social Science Laboratory | 1 | 8-May | 26-May | 29-May | 9-Jun |
| Completed | Social Science Tower | 4 | 8-May | 26-May | 29-May | 9-Jun |
| Completed | Social Science Tower | 1 | 8-May | 26-May | 29-May | 9-Jun |
| Completed | Social Science Trailer | 1 | 8-May | 26-May | 29-May | 9-Jun |
| Completed | Medical Sciences E | 1 | 29-May | 16-Jun | 19-Jun | 30-Jun |
| Completed | Education Building | 2 | 29-May | 16-Jun | 19-Jun | 30-Jun |
| Completed | Education Building | 1 | 29-May | 16-Jun | 19-Jun | 30-Jun |
| Completed | Education Building | 3 | 29-May | 16-Jun | 19-Jun | 30-Jun |
| Completed | Social Ecology I | 1 | 29-May | 16-Jun | 19-Jun | 30-Jun |
| Completed | Social Ecology I | 3 | 29-May | 16-Jun | 19-Jun | 30-Jun |
| On Hold | Social Ecology I | 2 | 29-May | 16-Jun | 19-Jun | 30-Jun |
| Completed | Parkview Classroom Building | PCB 1100 | 16-Jun | 23-Jun | 16-Jun | 23-Jun |
| Completed | Donald Bren Hall | DBH 100 | 16-Jun | 23-Jun | 16-Jun | 23-Jun |
| Completed | Engineering Hall | EH 1200 | 16-Jun | 23-Jun | 16-Jun | 23-Jun |
| Completed | Engineering Lecture Hall | ELH 100 | 24-Jun | 14-Jul | 17-Jul | 4-Aug |
| Completed | Physical Sciences Lecture Hall | PSLH | 26-Jun | 14-Jul | 17-Jul | 4-Aug |
| Completed | Social Sciences Lecture Hall | SSLH 100 | 26-Jun | 14-Jul | 17-Jul | 4-Aug |
| Completed | Howard Schneiderman Lecture Hall | HSLH 100 | 26-Jun | 14-Jul | 17-Jul | 4-Aug |
| Completed | Engineering Tower | 2 | 10-Jul | 4-Aug | 9-Aug | 20-Aug |
| Completed | Engineering Tower | 3 | 10-Jul | 4-Aug | 9-Aug | 20-Aug |
| Completed | Rowland Hall | 2 | 10-Jul | 4-Aug | 9-Aug | 20-Aug |
| Completed | Rowland Hall | 5 | 10-Jul | 4-Aug | 9-Aug | 20-Aug |
| Completed | Rowland Hall | 1 | 10-Jul | 4-Aug | 9-Aug | 20-Aug |
| Completed | Fredrick Reines Hall | 1 | 10-Jul | 4-Aug | 9-Aug | 20-Aug |
| Completed | Biological Sciences 3 Lecture Hall | BS3 1200 | 4-Aug | 25-Aug | 4-Aug | 25-Aug |
| Completed | Humanities Instructional Building | HIB 100 | 4-Aug | 25-Aug | 4-Aug | 25-Aug |
| Completed | Anteater Learning Pavilion LH 1 | ALP 1300 | 21-Aug | 8-Sep | 21-Aug | 8-Sep |
| Completed | Humanities Hall | 1 | 28-Aug | 14-Sep | 17-Sep | 28-Sep |
| Completed | Humanities Hall | 2 | 28-Aug | 14-Sep | 17-Sep | 28-Sep |
| Completed | Humanities Instructional Building | 1 | 28-Aug | 14-Sep | 17-Sep | 28-Sep |
| Completed | Humanities Instructional Building | 2 | 28-Aug | 14-Sep | 17-Sep | 28-Sep |
| Completed | Langson Library | 5 | 28-Aug | 14-Sep | 17-Sep | 28-Sep |
| Completed | Bonney Research Laboratory | 1 | 28-Aug | 14-Sep | 17-Sep | 28-Sep |
| Completed | Social Sciences Hall | SSH | 14-Sep | 22-Sep | 14-Sep | 22-Sep |
| Completed | Social Science Plaza A (SSPA) | SSPA 1100 | 14-Sep | 22-Sep | 14-Sep | 22-Sep |
| Completed | Anteater Learning Pavilion LH 2 | ALP 2300 | 14-Sep | 22-Sep | 14-Sep | 22-Sep |
| Completed | Aldrich Hall NIGHT 5:00 PM | 1 | 11-Sep | 6-Oct | 9-Oct | 20-Oct |
| Completed | Aldrich Hall NIGHT 5:00 PM | 2 | 11-Sep | 6-Oct | 9-Oct | 20-Oct |
| In Progress | Aldrich Hall NIGHT 5:00 PM | 3 | 11-Sep | 6-Oct | 9-Oct | 20-Oct |
| Completed | Aldrich Hall NIGHT 5:00 PM | 4 | 11-Sep | 6-Oct | 9-Oct | 20-Oct |
| Completed | Aldrich Hall NIGHT 5:00 PM | 5 | 11-Sep | 6-Oct | 9-Oct | 20-Oct |
| Completed | Aldrich Hall NIGHT 5:00 PM | 6 | 11-Sep | 6-Oct | 9-Oct | 20-Oct |
| Completed | Aldrich Hall NIGHT 5:00 PM | B | 11-Sep | 6-Oct | 9-Oct | 20-Oct |
| Completed | Information and Computer Science | 4 | 20-Oct | 17-Nov | 20-Nov | 10-Dec |
| Completed | Information and Computer Science | 1 | 20-Oct | 17-Nov | 20-Nov | 10-Dec |
| Completed | Information and Computer Science | 3 | 20-Oct | 17-Nov | 20-Nov | 10-Dec |
| Completed | Information and Computer Science 2 | 1 | 20-Oct | 17-Nov | 20-Nov | 10-Dec |
| In Progress Completed | Information and Computer Science 2 | 2 | 20-Oct | 17-Nov | 20-Nov | 10-Dec |
| Completed | William J, Gillespie Performance Studios | 1 | 30-Oct | 17-Nov | 20-Nov | 10-Dec |
| Completed | Science Library DAY | 2 | 30-Oct | 17-Nov | 20-Nov | 10-Dec |
| Completed | Science Library | 4 | 30-Oct | 17-Nov | 20-Nov | 10-Dec |
| Completed | Gateway Study Center | 2 | 30-Oct | 17-Nov | 20-Nov | 10-Dec |
| Completed | Art Studio | 1 | 30-Oct | 17-Nov | 20-Nov | 10-Dec |
| Completed | Music and Media Building | 3 | 30-Oct | 17-Nov | 20-Nov | 10-Dec |
| Completed | Steinhaus Hall | 1 | 20-Nov | 8-Dec | 11-Dec | 31-Dec |
| Completed | Steinhaus Hall | 2 | 20-Nov | 8-Dec | 11-Dec | 22-Dec |
| Completed | Steinhaus Hall | 3 | 20-Nov | 8-Dec | 11-Dec | 22-Dec |
| Completed | Hewitt Research Hall | 2 | 20-Nov | 8-Dec | 11-Dec | 22-Dec |
| Completed | Bison Modular | 1 | 20-Nov | 8-Dec | 11-Dec | 22-Dec |
| Completed | Student Health Center | 1 | 20-Nov | 8-Dec | 11-Dec | 22-Dec |
| Completed | Irvine Hall | 1 | 20-Nov | 8-Dec | 11-Dec | 22-Dec |
| Completed | Merage School of Business | 1 | 11-Dec | 29-Dec | 1-Jan | 12-Jan |
| Completed | Merage School of Business | 2 | 11-Dec | 29-Dec | 1-Jan | 12-Jan |
| Completed | Merage School of Business | 4 | 11-Dec | 29-Dec | 1-Jan | 12-Jan |
| Completed | Merage School of Business 2 | 1 | 11-Dec | 29-Dec | 1-Jan | 12-Jan |
| Completed | Robert Cohen Theatre and Dance Studio | 1 | 11-Dec | 29-Dec | 1-Jan | 12-Jan |
| Completed | Beall Center for Art and Technology | 1 | 11-Dec | 29-Dec | 1-Jan | 12-Jan |
| Completed | Public Services Building | 1 | 11-Dec | 29-Dec | 1-Jan | 12-Jan |
| Completed | Multipurpose Academic and Admin Bldg | 2 | 11-Dec | 29-Dec | 1-Jan | 12-Jan |
| Completed | Multipurpose Academic and Admin Bldg | 3 | 11-Dec | 29-Dec | 1-Jan | 12-Jan |
| Completed | Multipurpose Science and Tech Bldg | 1 | 1-Jan | 19-Jan | 22-Jan | 2-Feb |
| Completed | Multipurpose Science and Tech Bldg | 2 | 1-Jan | 19-Jan | 22-Jan | 2-Feb |
| Completed | Winifred Smith Hall | 1 | 1-Jan | 19-Jan | 22-Jan | 2-Feb |
| Completed | Crawford Hall | 1 | 1-Jan | 19-Jan | 22-Jan | 2-Feb |
| Completed | Natural Sciences Unit 2 | 1 | 1-Jan | 19-Jan | 22-Jan | 2-Feb |
| Completed | Natural Sciences Unit 2 | 4 | 1-Jan | 19-Jan | 22-Jan | 2-Feb |
Key
| Completed | |
| In Progress | |
| On Hold |
Project Status
- Percentage Complete 59%
Project Phase
Executing
Communities Affected
- UCI Campus
- College of Health Sciences
Start Date
August 2022
Estimated Completion Date
Fall 2027
Key Stakeholders
- Client: Campus Wi-Fi Users
- Sponsor: Henry Jenkins
- Co-Sponsor: Stacey Rose
- Project Manager: Daniel Galvan
Client Support
Frequently Asked Questions
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Hide the first one.
How does this project solve problems with UCI's Wi-Fi experience?
At the heart of today’s inconsistent Wi-Fi experience is a lack of Wi-Fi access points (APs). APs talk to wireless devices, such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones, very similar to how cell towers and cell phones work. They also have similar problems.
The first problem is when there isn’t enough coverage, a mobile device can’t get a signal and thus can’t talk to the network. The second is that as more people carry more devices, all trying to talk to APs at higher speeds, the APs get overwhelmed and underperform or stop listening for new connections. This is similar to what happens when too many cell phones try talking to a single cell tower.
In both cases, the answer is more access points that can handle more connections at higher speeds.
Which buildings are being upgraded and when?
The priority will be academic buildings with the lowest quality Wi-Fi. OIT is working with school IT directors to prioritize floors in each of those buildings.
Upgrades are underway! Check the Timeline tab above to see the progress.
This map shows the quality of Wi-Fi on campus in the Fall of 2022.
How long will each upgrade take?
There is no black-and-white answer to this question. Upgrades involve not just new access points, but also new network cables, new network switches, and possibly network closet upgrades on every floor.
A network closet (also called an “intermediate distribution frame” or IDF) is where all the network cables and electrical power are located. The limiting factor that drives the timeline will be whether or not the existing network closet requires more space to fit new equipment and cables. The more construction is required, the longer the upgrade will take.