Two technology trends that have been taking place separately in K-12 and higher-education institutions across the country are now beginning to come together: (1) the proliferation of wireless networks, and (2) the convergence of voice, video, and data on a single network infrastructure.

When considered on its own, each trend makes sense in terms of cost and convenience; now, as new technologies continue to improve, some schools are combining the two efforts.

Driving the trend toward wireless is the desire for always-on access. As students make technology an integral part of their lives, they want access to a network wherever they are on a campus--whether they're in class, in a cafeteria, in an auditorium, or outside on the green.

"There's the whole notion of wireless on campus, with people saying, ‘Gee, I've got it at home, why not on the third floor at the library?'" says Casey Green, founding director of the Campus Computing Project. "Schools are hearing it from both teachers and students."

Economically, too, converging disparate infrastructures into a single wireless network makes sense for some schools. "A typical three-story campus building would cost between $80,000 and $150,000 just to string and terminate wires. We could deploy wireless for about 30 percent to 50 percent of that cost," says Brad Noblet, former CIO of Dartmouth College. Under Noblet's guidance, Dartmouth developed one of the industry's first totally converged wireless IP networks.

Converged wireless at Dartmouth

Before Noblet came to Dartmouth, he had been involved in a number of start-up technology ventures. He had confidence that not only was convergence possible; it was essential. Interestingly, convincing decision-makers at Dartmouth that convergence was necessary was a walk in the park.

"It was simple to prove that [the cost of providing] voice over IP and video over IP was a fraction of what it would cost to build out separate infrastructures," he says. "It was the wireless piece that was viewed as still new."

At the same time Noblet was hoping to convince Dartmouth administrators that wireless would benefit the school, some interesting developments occurred. The college had over-extended its admissions and was scrambling to build temporary housing. Because the school was in a bind, there was no time to have contractors install and terminate wires. Instead, the college deployed wireless networks in those buildings.

"Not only did we save money, but we were able to do it in just a couple of weeks," Noblet says. The wireless networks delivered data, IP telephony, and cable television. "We were able to show that if we were to deliver these converged services, plus normal applications, in a converged format, [the students'] quality of life would be enhanced greatly," he says.