Wireless Network Policy for the Use of the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Radio Frequencies

The Information Technology Division is implementing a wireless network system on campus. This system will allow campus users to access campus computing facilities from mobile, portable, or handheld computers. A portion of radio airspace on the campus will be required to serve as the transport medium.

Certain existing computing policies apply to that segment of the radio airspace on campus. This policy alerts members of the campus community to the potential problems that could result from devices using the same radio frequency. The Rice wireless network uses the FCC unlicensed 2.4 GHz and 5GHz, Industrial/Scientific/Medical (ISM) band. Rice wireless transmissions within that band conform to the IEEE 802.11b /a DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) wireless LAN specification. Certain other wireless devices exist in the market place also employ the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands and can cause interference to the Rice wireless network service. These devices include, but are not limited to other IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN devices.

Information Technology will approach the shared use of the 2.4/5 GHz radio frequencies in the same way that it manages the shared use of the wired network. In order to assure the highest level of service to the users of the Rice wireless network, all members of the campus community are asked to minimize the potential for interference from those devices. Information Technology will work with the Rice community to assist in phasing out other 2.4/5 GHz devices that are specifically used for digital communications in university-owned buildings. This does not prohibit the use of microwave ovens, security alarms, telephones or other devices such as pacemakers, which make use of the 2.4/5 GHz radio frequencies. In cases where a device is being used for a specific teaching or research application, Information Technology will work with faculty to determine whether there are circumstances under which use of the device may still be accommodated without causing interference to the Rice wireless users.

Information Technology will monitor use of the airspace for potential interfering devices, and will notify a user if a device is causing interference and potentially disrupting the campus network. In these cases, Information Technology reserves the right to restrict the use of all 2.4/5 GHz radio devices in university-owned buildings and outdoor spaces on the Rice University Campus. See Rice University General Policy No.832-99 Appropriate Use of Computer Resources for information related to interference or impairment to the activities of others.

In order for the wireless network to coexist with the wireless technology research being conducted on campus; channel 1 will be reserved for user controlled peer to peer networking. Information Technology will reserve channels 2-8 for the production network, channels 9 and greater will be available for research.

Users of existing systems that possibly employ 2.4/5 GHz radios for transmission or users who are planning to purchase a wireless system and are uncertain if it employs 2.4/5 GHz radios, should contact Information Technology by e-mail at wireless@rice.edu. Information Technology is available to help determine if such devices will cause interference to the Rice wireless network system.