WiFi is a Must-Have for Higher Education

Step one foot on a college campus and you’ll see it. We’re not talking about the textbooks, or pajama-wearing public, or red Solo cups. We’re talking about the WiFi signal. These days WiFi on campus is as expected as electricity or running water. And that’s for good reason. With the influx of mobile devices like smartphones, tablets and laptops in educational environments, WiFi has never been in such high demand. Here are several reasons why wireless fidelity is synonymous with the modern college and university student experience.

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WiFi Can Lead to Better Grades

You may be thinking, “Won’t students just play games or get distracted?” The truth is, having free access to the internet puts the world’s learning at a student’s fingertips. Educators can utilize interactive programs and create engaging learning content for their students. More and more libraries have strong digital content catalogs as well, and with free WiFi throughout campus, the library is everywhere. This opens up endless research possibilities. It can also connect students to peers around the world, offering new perspectives and feedback on complex projects.

Closer to home, students can use collaborative, cloud-based software that can be shared and accessed from any internet-enabled device. Without access to it, students with laptops and tablets would be utterly unable to work on assignments or access digital learning material. President Barack Obama has been quoted saying “in most American schools, teachers cannot use the cutting-edge software and programs…They literally don’t have the bandwidth.”

WiFi Increases Security On Campus

WiFi data paints a picture of how and when students move around campus. This data can help inform where cameras or lights should be installed and when security should be increased. If the WiFi network is accessed through social credentials, security alerts can be sent quickly to a huge population of students.

WiFi Makes Communities Smarter, Safer and More Accessible

 

It is Good for Campus Events

Schools and universities host hundreds of events throughout the year, ranging from local farmers markets to national basketball games. If they’re happening on campus, those attendants will expect WiFi access.

Many marketing vendors require Wireless access to set up their shops and post on social media to update their followers. By offering a single, secure network, a university can generate revenue through WiFi sponsorship from vendors, and the vendors get the benefit of customer data and the opportunity to advertise to an engaged, somewhat captive audience. Universities and colleges can leverage the WiFi data to encourage new sponsorships and vendors.

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Let Students Be the Stars

WiFi also facilitates students to create user-generated content (UGC) for schools. Authentic and entertaining UGC makes a big impact at colleges and universities because it highlights real campus life. Not only can UGC attract prospective students, but it also enriches the experience of current students and faculty and provides a valuable connection for parents and alumni. But without WiFi, all that great UGC has to wait until a student gets home to post, and that reduces the chance it will ever see the light of day.

In 2019, UGC will continue to be one of the most effective marketing tools for universities and schools. ComScore reports that brand engagement rises by 28% when consumers are exposed to both professional and user-generated content.

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Custom Splash Page Builder

A custom splash page helps give a captive portal the branded look it needs to stand out from the crowd and give guests the peace of mind they’re accessing the network associated with the venue they’re visiting.

WiFi Payments and Vouchers

Offer premium guest WiFi access and promote WiFi upgrades with comprehensive payment and voucher modules. Payments can be used to offer guests varying speeds of WiFi access, while vouchers are great for venues that want to utilize a captive portal that also requires a voucher code for WiFi access.
WiFi payments and vouchers

Guest Plans

Venues can now offer multiple levels of guest WiFi access with our Guest Plan feature. Guest Plans are defined by specific upload and download speeds and session time limits. Brick-and-mortar businesses can offer guest WiFi access and promote WiFi upgrades with our new payment and voucher modules.

Versatile Form Builder

Create and display custom guest surveys on any splash page of your guest flow. Collect feedback and gather additional data points to create smarter marketing.

Enhanced Guest Flow

Guest flow gives venues complete control over the guest WiFi experience. Guest flows help keep a visually pleasing captive portal experience by preventing clutter of multiple marketing assets. Keep it simple, or turn your WiFi into a digital billboard.
WiFi splash page with survey social login

Integrated Ad Spaces

Ad Space Integrations is a powerful feature for venues who want to promote products, deals and specials, online shopping, loyalty programs and other signups, or third-party advertisers all on a pre-authenticated Splash Page.

Increase impressions and clicks for advertising opportunities by showcasing AdSpaces before requiring a guest to connect to WiFi.

Have an app that needs more downloads? The URL redirect function will navigate guests to the app store specific to their device as soon as they click on the advertisement/call-to-action button.

No more will guests have to wait to connect to WiFi to reach interactive ads. Ad Space Integrations takes Ads4WiFi smart advertising tools and places it our smart marketing environment powered by Marketing4WiFi.

Hotspot Scheduler

Determine the specific days and times that WiFi is available to guests. Hotspot Scheduler offers smarter WiFi control by allowing venues to run their guest WiFi during business hours.