Susan Kelemen is an education marketing specialist at Verizon, responsible for creating and implementing wireless solutions for higher education, K-12, and state/local. community.
Tony Dolezal is a public sector 5G and MEC (Multi-Access Edge Computing) specialist at Verizon with 25 years of experience in communications, data communications, and IP-based video.
One of the most challenging developments facing higher education institutions in recent years is how to best take advantage of the rapid evolution of digital technology.
As universities continue to grapple with declining enrollment, rising costs of production, and increasing demand for flexible and convenient learning options, one thing is clear. That means that as competition for students, faculty, and researchers continues to intensify, so do the stakes of investing in universities. The right digital infrastructure to support their experience.
Fortunately, in contrast to long-term building projects, the continued evolution of technology can help universities not only quickly enhance the teaching and learning experience, but also reduce operating costs. A case in point is 5G wireless connectivity, one of the examples he says is likely to have a major impact on college campuses now and in the future.
Although the national rollout of 5G has been slow, the ability for universities to deploy and begin using private 5G networks more quickly is already gaining momentum. This is primarily due to 5G’s combination of higher speeds, lower latency, and scalability. capacity.
College campuses are uniquely positioned to take advantage of 5G in many ways, with all aspects of it bringing important new capabilities, including:
Improving your classroom learning experience— 5G’s expanded bandwidth and low latency will enable educational institutions like Arizona State University to use augmented reality (XR) headsets and other devices such as 3D printers and smart boards in the classroom. Studies show that students retain 90% of what they learn through experience, compared to 30% of what they hear and 20% of what they see. 5G will also accelerate the adoption of learning support technologies for people with special needs.
Expanding campus connectivity — The combination of 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and software-defined networking will enable educational institutions to create ubiquitous wireless coverage across campuses and even campus housing, seamlessly connecting students, faculty, and staff to any resources they need. You will be able to access it. It also provides the foundation for enhanced security, improved transportation services, and connectivity at sporting events.
Extend your existing network coverage – 5G can complement existing Wi-Fi solutions and extend their useful life by many years. For universities that lack on-campus wireless network capacity due to structural limitations of existing network infrastructure, 5G can help expand campus network investments.
Improving network performance – 5G will be 90% more energy efficient and 3x more spectrum efficient. Additionally, 5G makes it possible to segment network traffic. This makes more intelligent use of campus resources by reserving Wi-Fi for less critical demands while allocating higher capacity and security where it’s needed, such as academic traffic.
Promoting research and innovation – 5G provides the bandwidth, capacity, and low-latency performance that students and faculty expect, making it increasingly necessary for educational institutions to compete in today’s education market. Additionally, 5G can expand the learning experience by expanding the locations where students and professors can access high-speed internet, giving higher education institutions a stronger foothold to become global campuses.
enhance your sense of connection — As stated in a recent blog from MIT’s Teaching + Learning Lab, a critical component of student achievement and success in higher education institutions is whether students feel a sense of belonging and connection. The same goes for faculty and staff. Ubiquitous 5G wireless connectivity will fundamentally contribute to broader efforts to support human connection and belonging on campus.
As prospective students continue to scrutinize the cost and return on investment of postsecondary education in America, universities are underscoring the need to rethink how they serve society’s educational needs in a diverse and rapidly evolving world. recognizing. Considering its benefits, ubiquitous, high-performance, low-latency 5G wireless connectivity is one of the best investments universities can make.
Learn more about how high-bandwidth 5G is changing education and How Verizon can help.
