Wi-fi upgrade planned for campus; installation at Ohio Stadium and Schottenstein Center

Owen Daugherty
Tue, 03 Apr 2018 18:31:18 +0000
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Pending Board approval, Ohio Stadium could have Wi-Fi in 2019. Credit: Jack Westerheide | Photo Editor

Wi-Fi across campus could see a significant upgrade if the Ohio State Board of Trustees approve a long-awaited system overhaul.

The full Board will meet Friday to discuss an almost $19 million proposal that would bring new Wi-Fi to campus as well as Ohio Stadium and the Schottenstein Center, but not for at least another football season, according to Board materials released this week.

The plan calls for upgrades to the overall campus Wi-Fi to begin in June but potentially not wrap up until December of 2020, according to the Board documents.

The $18.6 million price tag calls for almost $9 million to purchase the new technology and $9.5 million for construction costs with contingency, with the remaining $1.2 million going to professional services.

The comprehensive plan has been in the works for years. The university has been trying to get Wi-Fi installed at the two athletic venues in particular since at least 2015. But that plan was put on hold while Ohio State focused on a campus-wide upgrade instead, university spokesman Ben Johnson told The Lantern last year.

If approved, the project would consist of installing access points across campus to “create a more seamless, efficient and modern end user experience,” according to the documents.

For Buckeye fans, seamlessly checking scores and tweeting will have to wait at least another season. The plan, pending full Board approval, would bring Wi-Fi to the ‘Shoe by the start of the 2019 football season and to the Schott by the start of the 2019-20 basketball season to “improve the fan experience.”