UC Mobile Update
by Diana Noelcke
We introduced UC Mobile, powered by Cincinnati Bell, at Student Orientation, and offered incoming freshmen free phones. A student could select a free RAZR phone if he or she signed up for a data plan or a free Nokia 6030 for signing up with UC Mobile for the voice plan only. The project team worked closely with Admissions and Enrollment to make UC Mobile a "WOW" factor for this year's incoming class. We branded the cell phones with a C-paw, and supplied our school song as the ring tone. We used a great shot of our Bearcat mascot as the default wallpaper.
We will be rolling out UC Mobile to faculty, staff and upperclassmen later this year.
Phase I Status Update
As reported in the spring edition of UCit now, we have completed the first part of Phase I, transitioning TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) cell phone users to Cincinnati Bell's new cellular technology of GSM (Global System for Mobile communication). In late February, Cincinnati Bell began to install GSM repeaters in various building closet locations in preparation for their early fall decommissioning of the older TDMA technology. UC has been using both technologies since early April. In late April, we replaced all department TDMA phones with the new technology GSM phones.
Another part of Phase I involved the design and installation of cellular base stations and additional rooftop antennas. The preliminary survey indicated the buildings, specifically the CAS Administration building, Old Chemistry, and Daniels Hall. In the final design, the locations were Daniels and Rieveschl, with details yet to be determined on the latter. We will coordinate Daniels' cellular buildout in conjunction with the roof replacement during the summer.
Along with the cellular infrastructure buildout we have been working on the Wireless Data (Wi-Fi, i.e., Wireless Fidelity) buildout. We will begin later this summer with a pilot covering the Calhoun Street redevelopment area. When we have completed and evaluated the pilot, we will provision the University's existing wireless Wi-Fi to allow public access to the Internet from anywhere on campus that has Wi-Fi access today. Public Internet access will utilize Cincinnati Bell's network, whereas UC's private Internet will remain on the campus network. We had a successful trial run of this feature for UC Showcase 2006 in April.
Mobile Application Development Update
We have been working with the developer on the following applications and will begin testing in late July and early August.
Mobile Help Phone - All UC Mobile devices will permit users, while on campus, to contact Public Safety by dialing a short code.
Blackboard Alerts - The student who uses UC Mobile will receive a web link permitting him or her to authenticate to Blackboard and view details related to course content, tasks, calendar, and grade book.
Shuttle Bus Notification - UC Mobile users will be able to request bus arrival times for specific bus stops via their phone.
Please visit our new UC Mobile web site for more information.
|
