Umeå University and Umeå Municipality announce joint wireless network coverage
NEWS
Umeå Municipality and Umeå University are synchronising their wireless data networks to enable greater access for students and employees at both organisations.
It will now be possible for students at Umeå University to go be in the city centre, sit in a café, run errands or go shopping while simultaneously studying or updating their Facebook page. Students and staff members that have a laptop computer with wireless capacity can be in the city library will have access to the University’s wireless network in the same way as if they were on campus.
“This collaboration is the beginning of a development in which Umeå University's wireless data networks are spreading in Umeå. Today's students have an increasing need to be “on-line” wherever they are. Therefore, Umeå University understands the need to disseminate the wireless networks available on campus at all points as possible. We want to be where the students are," says Sören Berglund, the acting head of Information Technology at Umeå University.
A more attractive student city
The initiative to share the data network was first taken up the university, who contacted the municipality. A simple and inexpensive way to increase the geographical coverage was to create a federation, and an agreement between Umeå University and Umeå municipality was created.
“This is primarily about making Umeå attractive as study destination. This is a natural progression since Umeå was Sweden's IT-municipality for 2007-2008. By bring together our wireless networks, we will make it easier for the staffs of the municipality and the university that are involved in various joint research projects or courses,” says Jan Långström, head of IT, Umeå municipality.
The first place where it will be possible to utilise the interconnected grid will be at the Umeå city library. There are plans to expand the service to additional libraries and other public places, as well as even coverage outdoors.“There are also preparations to work even closer together, such as in education and research,” says Jan Långström.
Even those who are not students at Umeå University will have access to the wireless network at the city library.
“Anyone, regardless of whether they are residents of the municipality or a tourist, can connect their computers. The only difference is that you then have to go to one of our desks and get the login information, "explains Åke Samuelsson, head of Umeå city library.
The city library also has eduroam (educational roaming), a wireless network that is accessible to university faculty, staff and students in approximately 50 countries, that allows students, researchers and staff from participating institutions to obtain Internet connectivity across campus and when visiting other participating institutions by simply opening their laptop.
Contact persons: Sören Berglund, Acting Head of IT, Umeå University E-mail: soren.berglund@adm.umu.se Phone: +46 (0)90-786 53 56 Mobil: +46 (0)70-666 69 03
Jan Långström, Head of IT, Umeå Municipality E-mail: jan.langstrom@umea.se Phone: +46 (0)90-16 11 52 Mobile: +46 (0)70-693 60 42
