College backs off Wi-Fi ban
High-tech tensions at the University of Texas at Dallas are easing, as administrators are curtailing the regulation of private hot spots in campus housing, but problems with interference may continue.
Administrators issued a regulatory policy last Wednesday barring students from installing certain types of Wi-Fi networks in campus housing. Students were not allowed to use 802.11g or 802.11b products, but they could set up equipment using the less-popular 802.11a standard. The policy was in response to complaints that the unregulated hot spots were interfering with the university's own wireless service, which is offered freely to students and staff, campus technology administrators said.
However, the policy was lifted last Friday, because it was not clear that the university had the legal right to enforce the policy, according to Steve McGregor, spokesman for the university.
"That campus housing is not a traditional dorm...they're not owned by the university, so, upon review, we didn't feel comfortable regulating those private hot spots," McGregor said.
Students also pointed to a public notice from the Federal Communication Commission dated June 24, which affirmed the consumer's right to install and operate unlicensed equipment.
