Cell phone and wireless Internet coverage will continue to expand on campus, thanks to the addition of more wireless Internet hotspots and Verizon's plan to build a cell phone antenna near New Hall.
University administrators said they have been working to increase wireless Internet access on campus and have added service to popular areas such as the Marvin Center's J Street and Columbia Square to GW's wireless network. Verizon Wireless said by December a new antenna will be installed to increase cell phone service.
"We are working on a site very near (23rd and H Streets) that we plan to activate in December," said John Johnson a spokesman for Verizon Wireless.
Johnson said Verizon installs antennas on top of buildings or as attachments to buildings.
Student complaints over bad cell phone service may have urged the company to increase coverage on campus. Johnson didn't specify which building would receive the antenna, but New Hall, a dorm near the intersection, is notorious for having bad cell phone service.
"It's fine, but it could be better," said senior Matt Carney, who lives off campus near the location of the proposed antennas. "Some dorms don't get any reception."
In addition to cell phone service location of the proposed antennas. "Some dorms don't get any reception."
In addition to cell phone service increasing in the next three months, GW has already added new hotspots to the wireless Internet network on campus. Since last March GW has added parts of the Mount Vernon Campus and Marvin Center.
"You can only put a wireless network on an existing network so there has to be an existing network and existing data jacks," said Alexa Kim, executive director of ISS Technology Services. "Another aspect of the cost is that at every wireless access point, the bigger the space the more access points needed."
The Marvin Center's J Street is an example of a more costly addition to the wireless network, Kim said. Being a large space with a large number of concentrated users necessitates the installation of more access points to keep up a high speed.
University administrators said they have been working to increase wireless Internet access on campus and have added service to popular areas such as the Marvin Center's J Street and Columbia Square to GW's wireless network. Verizon Wireless said by December a new antenna will be installed to increase cell phone service.
"We are working on a site very near (23rd and H Streets) that we plan to activate in December," said John Johnson a spokesman for Verizon Wireless.
Johnson said Verizon installs antennas on top of buildings or as attachments to buildings.
Student complaints over bad cell phone service may have urged the company to increase coverage on campus. Johnson didn't specify which building would receive the antenna, but New Hall, a dorm near the intersection, is notorious for having bad cell phone service.
"It's fine, but it could be better," said senior Matt Carney, who lives off campus near the location of the proposed antennas. "Some dorms don't get any reception."
In addition to cell phone service location of the proposed antennas. "Some dorms don't get any reception."
In addition to cell phone service increasing in the next three months, GW has already added new hotspots to the wireless Internet network on campus. Since last March GW has added parts of the Mount Vernon Campus and Marvin Center.
"You can only put a wireless network on an existing network so there has to be an existing network and existing data jacks," said Alexa Kim, executive director of ISS Technology Services. "Another aspect of the cost is that at every wireless access point, the bigger the space the more access points needed."
The Marvin Center's J Street is an example of a more costly addition to the wireless network, Kim said. Being a large space with a large number of concentrated users necessitates the installation of more access points to keep up a high speed.
