Demand for wireless connectivity to people and resources around the globe continues to rise, demanding aggressive planning and deployment by service providers within and beyond Boston University. Some recent and planned improvements to BU wireless services are highlighted below.

WiFi Networking
IS&T followed a multi-year effort to upgrade Charles River Campus residential wireless networks with comparable upgrades to wireless networking throughout the rest of campus. See our high-level BU WiFi coverage map for further details.

Cellular Service
Students, faculty, and staff expect consistent and continuous connectivity wherever they roam, so IS&T began working with leading cellular service providers Verizon and AT&T several years ago on plans to bolster broader indoor and outdoor access to cellular services as well. These enhancements include deployment of an AT&T Distributed Antenna Service and Verizon small cell service (check out the new light poles!).

WiFi Calling
In 2015, both AT&T and Verizon deployed technology throughout the region that allows late-model smartphones—such as the iPhone 6 and 7 and many Android-based smartphones—to make, receive, and maintain telephone calls and connections over cellular and WiFi networks within and beyond Boston University. The choice between WiFi- or cellular-based service is made continuously, dynamically, and automatically on the basis of signal strength, yielding more reliable and consistent cellphone service in locations within buildings, homes, and outdoors that were previously underserved and out of reach of cellular services.

Further information and activation instructions for cellular and WiFi service integration on compatible devices is available at our WiFi calling FAQ page.

Verizon and AT&T cellular service coverage
IS&T is working closely with both Verizon and AT&T on dramatic improvements to conventional cellular service coverage throughout both the Charles River and Medical campuses.

AT&T completed deployment of service enhancement at BUMC earlier this year and is now working on expansion throughout Charles River Campus.

Verizon is at work on both campuses deploying advanced high-density Small Cell cellular services, with activation planned for 2017.

Both carriers expect other cellular service providers to lease capacity on these new transmission facilities, resulting in service improvements beyond just Verizon and AT&T.