Quick Start

Available to: Students, Faculty, Researchers, Staff, Departments, New/Incoming Students, Guests

Cost: Generally, there are no charges to use non-residential network services. There may be costs associated with the installation or extension of wireless services; departments interested in these services should contact the IT Help Center using our online form or by sending a message to ithelp@bu.edu.


We maintain an extensive wireless network throughout the Charles River, Fenway, Medical, and select remote campuses. With few exceptions, Network Services designs, installs, and refreshes the wireless infrastructure so the BU community has current, secure Wi-Fi and easy access to the network. In a few select University-owned residential facilities, wireless network services are provided through a commercial carrier service managed by the University.

Benefits

Centralizing design, installation, management, and maintenance ensures a predictable, reliable, and secure experience. Wireless devices can roam through covered areas without losing connectivity.

Key Features

  • Modern Wi-Fi generations: The campus uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) in most areas, with select Wi-Fi 6E coverage. Wi-Fi 7-capable access points are being introduced as networks refresh.

  • Guest access available for visitors.

What to Expect

This service is normally available 24×7, except during standard change windows as described in IS&T’s standard policies, procedures, and schedules for making changes.

Requirements

  • Use a device that supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax).
  • Wi-Fi 6E requires a 6 GHz-capable device.
  • Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) clients are supported where available.

Getting Started

Contact Us

For problems connecting in a specific location or to request new/expanded wireless coverage, contact the IT Help Center:

Service hours and locations are listed on the Help Center page.