The Improving Wireless programme aspires to enhance wireless infrastructure across the collegiate University, so wireless works everywhere, is accessible to all, and underpins strategic activities in support of teaching, learning and research.
Following completion of the pilot, Council has agreed a five year programme from June 2025 continuing the deployment of the Juniper Mist modern, enterprise wireless platform as part of the existing Managed Wireless Service (MWS) into departmental and faculty buildings.
The programme aims to fulfil the following Wi-Fi expectations:
- Wi-Fi should just work, be consistent, and secure
- onboarding to University Wi-Fi should be easy
- improved user experience as more buildings move to the Juniper Mist solution
- ease of access to eduroam and University digital services
- ease of access to Wi-Fi from personal devices
- reduced operational overhead
Why do we need to improve Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is now the primary connectivity method for students, staff and University visitors. To support the improvement of Wi-Fi we need to focus on the two key areas outlined below:
What currently works well
Wi-Fi support provided by the Managed Wireless Service (MWS) using the Juniper Mist product:
- product support
- excellent diagnostics
- pro-active monitoring
- long-term statistics
- inventory support
- enhanced administrative access for IT Support Staff (ITSS)
What needs improving
The experience of users needs enhancing specifically in relation to:
- Radio Frequency (RF) signal strength
- RF design to support modern study and work styles
- Wi-Fi accessibility
- Wi-Fi performance
What is the Managed Wireless Service (MWS)?
The Managed Wireless Service (MWS) offers a robust and reliable Wi-Fi experience across University buildings, embracing a 'wireless first' approach. It provides established services like eduroam and OWL SSIDs, along with custom-built local SSIDs tailored to specific needs. The service includes access to Wi-Fi diagnostic tools and data through the Mist Cloud management portal, supported by experienced Wi-Fi engineers for RF design and technical support. MWS ensures enhanced connectivity and centralised management of security patches and software upgrades. Its scalability and flexibility support a wide range of devices and applications, making it an essential component of the University's digital estate strategy.
What the programme plans to deliver
Ultimately, the programme plans to increase ‘good Wi-Fi everywhere’ by rolling out the Managed Wireless Service (MWS) across the University departmental buildings, while supporting the uptake of Juniper across colleges.
Key programme benefits:
- enhanced connectivity: improved wireless service across the University, currently supporting around 40,000 devices and transferring nearly 3TB of data daily
- strategic enablement: supports the expansion of in-person computer-based examinations and the University’s digital estate strategy. Building management is increasingly dependent on wireless networking, including to support audio-visual, room booking, building access control, occupancy monitoring, and other Internet of Things devices (that are embedded with sensors, software, and network connectivity, allowing them to collect and share data)
- cost efficiency: the programme will realise cost savings through a five-year enterprise licensing agreement with Juniper, avoiding price increases and simplifying licence management. Even buildings that opt to procure their own Juniper Wi-Fi service outside of the Improving Wireless Programme will benefit from the cost savings negotiated under the Juniper and Telent Technology Services Limited (their approved reseller) framework agreement
How the programme will improve Wi-Fi
It is through considered Wi-Fi design and implementation that we will deliver improved Wi-Fi for staff, students and visitors. The programme has designed and tested an eight-stage engagement process to ensure optimum Wi-Fi is delivered to each building. This considers the specific needs of each tenant and building space, working on a building-by-building basis. The table below outlines each stage, including the commitment required from departmental colleagues to deliver the required outcomes to enable successful Wi-Fi improvements.
| Stage |
Outcome |
Process |
Outputs required from building(s) |
| 1 |
Collect Wi-Fi, building and tenant information |
We identify IT and building stakeholder contacts, understand current legacy Wi-Fi product quantities, local network capacity and ensure access to architectural floor plans |
- Scaled floorplans and Asbestos Register
|
| 2 |
Consult on Wi-Fi requirements |
On a building-by-building basis, we consult with local teams to understand building and tenant requirements, to understand what type of client devices are typically on site and to identify what SSIDs are required |
- Attend a technical and wireless discussion to complete a pro-forma questionnaire and to understand the expected usage and occupancy of space
|
| 3 |
Create Wi-Fi simulation and design for the building |
We complete a Radio Frequency (RF) survey (using Ekahau industry standard surveying tool) for the building and create a virtual RF design. This simulation helps us to understand how Wi-Fi is currently penetrating the building and where coverage is good or poor. This then allows us to map out the optimum locations for your access points (APs). This remains the design unless spaces within a building change purpose, which requires a revisit and reassessment of requirements |
- To provide access to all areas of the building, including plant rooms, to allow for pre-installation wireless survey to be completed
- If required, to support access to the building and technical resource availability to bench test the functionality of a Juniper Mist AP on the network
|
| 4 |
Assess and define installation and cabling work |
A dedicated delivery team reviews the requirements and provisions the kit list to support your design. The team then completes a review on site to determine cable run requirements and AP mounting options for the building and documents these requirements, in alignment with the RF design |
- To provide access to all areas of the building and resource availability
|
| 5 |
Review asbestos status |
A prerequisite is for the building stakeholders to provide the most recent copy of the building’s asbestos report. Our team will work with building stakeholders to facilitate and complete an on-site walkaround of the building with them, cabling specialists, asbestos compliance teams (if required) to discuss AP locations and the practicality of installing within those areas. Targeted asbestos surveys may be required, and a design compromise may be needed should certain areas be a challenge for AP installation. To address this, the virtual RF design can be easily reviewed and updated to check the impact of moving the AP locations and to ensure good coverage is maintained, before any physical installation is carried out |
- To support access, if required, and support any questions raised by Estates Compliance (Asbestos, Health and Safety) team
|
| 6 |
Ensure listed buildings requirements are met |
Our team will work with building stakeholders to facilitate and complete an on-site walkaround of the building with them, cabling specialists, and heritage teams (if required) to discuss AP locations and the practicality of installing within those areas. A design compromise may be required should certain areas be a challenge for AP installation. To address this, the virtual RF design can be easily reviewed and updated to check the impact of moving the AP locations and to ensure good coverage is maintained, before any physical installation is carried out |
- To support access, if required, and support any questions raised by Estates Heritage and Building Maintenance team
|
| 7 |
Install Wi-Fi into building |
The team will typically plan the installation in two phases:
- schedule and work with assigned electrical specialists to complete any additional cabling installation work and certification
- complete the installation of the APs and receive sign-off from the on-site contact
|
- To provide access to all areas of the building to complete cabling work and AP installations. This may take multiple visits depending on the size of the building
|
| 8 |
Validate with post-install RF survey |
Our delivery team will complete a post-install RF survey to validate the Wi-Fi installation against the building and tenant(s) requirements, and if required, to support any light remediation work |
-
To provide access to all areas of the building, including plant rooms to allow for a post-installation Wireless Survey to be completed
-
If required, to provide access to building for any remediation work
|
. I actually think this is a brilliant system. Setup took minutes, Stream Deck is communicating on 3 devices and doesn't feel any different from any other Wi-Fi at work or home. Genius move. 
