Notre Dame launches Wi-Fi 6E at sports stadium
The University of Notre Dame has launched Wi-Fi 6E service at its 80,000 seat stadium.
The Wi-Fi 6E standard uses 6 GHz wireless spectrum and offers faster speeds and lower latency. Using the service requires a compatible device, though the university expects 90% of its students will have access to such a device by the start of the next academic year, according to EdTech Innovation Hub.
Newer laptops and smartphones support the standard. Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models, released in 2023, were the first iPhone models to support 6E.
The Indiana school plans to use the network to offer enhanced connectivity to event-goers, but also use it as a live laboratory for researching new “internet of things,” extended reality and artificial intelligence projects.
“Given the accelerating expectations of our campus community and Fighting Irish fans for ever-evolving mobility, AI, and IoT-enabled experiences in the classroom, at research facilities, during recreational activities, and on game day, WiFi 6E enables us to anticipate the future and say ‘yes’ to new innovations that we were unable to support with our legacy vendor,” John Buysse, a senior IT director at Notre Dame, said in a statement.
Wi-Fi 6E is becoming more common. One market analysis last March showed that Wi-Fi 6E market share grew from 22.5% in the fourth quarter of 2023 to 29% one year later.
