Case Study: University of Notre Dame

Founded in 1842, the University of Notre Dame is a highly regarded, independent, national, Catholic university in Indiana, approximately 90 miles east of Chicago. With a population of 11,479 students and over 1,500 faculty, the University of Notre Dame covers an area of 1,250 acres containing two lakes and 137 buildings. Notre Dame is well known for the quality of its environment and the beauty of its campus. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the 14-story Hesburgh Library, and the University's newly renovated 125-year-old Main Building with its famed Golden Dome are among the most widely known university landmarks in the world.

"Our partnership with NextG Networks will provide Notre Dame students, faculty, staff, visitors and sports fans with superior wireless voice and data service from participating operators. NextG's cutting-edge network enables Notre Dame to ensure campus-wide wireless coverage and capacity without the need for landline phones, traditional cell towers, or major construction by using state-of-the-art technology that blends discretely into the Notre Dame campus."
Dewitt Latimer,
Deputy CIO, Chief Technology Officer, Assistant Vice President and Assistant Provost,
University of Notre Dame

Facts

• Campus contains 137 buildings on 1,250 acres
• Protected historical buildings throughout campus
• 11,479 students
• Landline service in residence halls will be discontinued
• Need for wireless coverage and capacity enhancements in specific areas
• Campus aesthetic concerns prohibit traditional cell sites

Challenges
Notre Dame’s challenge was to provide extensive wireless coverage and capacity so everyone can access wireless voice and data services anywhere on campus. Notre Dame set out to find a method in which to support multiple wireless operators and their network needs, while meeting the needs of its constituents, whose desire to protect the campus’s architecture and landscape opposed improving coverage by adding traditional cell towers.

Notre Dame has decided to remove fixed-line service from its residence halls due to the lack of use. This strategic decision will allow the campus to significantly reduce telecom operating costs. Over 90% of the students, faculty, and staff use wireless phones and other devices, However, specific areas of campus, including some of the residence halls, receive poor or no wireless coverage.

• Poor wireless coverage and capacity in key areas of campus
• Landline service in residence halls to be discontinued
• Preserve and protect the beauty of the buildings and environment
• Heavy student and faculty dependence on wireless phones and devices
• Requires reliable in-building coverage throughout campus

NextG Solution
NextG’s managed RF transport services use optical technology to transport voice and data for wireless operators, Wi-Fi networks, and other wireless services such as public safety. NextG‘s DAS-Networks, which are used across the US to improve coverage and capacity, support multiple wireless operators meeting the needs of operators and Notre Dame. Partnering with NextG also offers the University a single point-of-contact for interfacing with wireless operators.

NextG works with wireless service providers to expand their coverage and capacity in specified campus areas without using towers or obtrusive rooftop sites. Because the DAS-Network uses strategically placed, small, and low power antennas on approved buildings and lampposts, the DAS-Network is virtually unnoticeable.

The NextG solution enables the University of Notre Dame to meet its goals for a discrete, cost-effective, multi-operator network that supplies campus-wide coverage with ample capacity.

Network antennas deployed at Notre Dame stadium–color will match press box.

Benefits

• Greater RF planning and capacity allocation can support concentrated, simultaneous users throughout the campus
• Small, low power equipment allows for quick approvals
• Strategic placement and stealthing of antennas on buildings & lampposts make them virtually unnoticeable
• A quick and efficient implementation schedule of about 6 months
• Multi-operator network design based on operator AND campus needs
• One point of contact for campus to manage multiple operators
• An outdoor network with sufficient campus-wide in-building coverage

Specifications

Population Covered = 13,000
# of Nodes = 6 to16, depending on specific operator requirements
Frequencies Supported = 800 MHz, 1900 MHz
Networks Supported = GPRS, EDGE, GSM, UMTS, CDMA, 1xRTT, EV-DO

Typical Network Topology