“Access to cutting-edge technology is a key factor in attracting and retaining students at the university level,” said Michele Norin, CIO for the University of Arizona. “NEC’s ability to manage our VoIP network turnkey, meet our aggressive deployment schedule, and install and service Cisco equipment were our deciding factors. We believe we now have a world-class secure and scalable wireless LAN-based voice and data network for use by students, faculty, staff and visitors alike.”

The University of Arizona selected NEC and Cisco for its ambitious wireless voice and data network project in 2006. NEC managed the university’s wireless project turnkey, from site surveys to cabling infrastructure, to vendor and budget management all the way through deployment of Cisco’s wireless solutions. In addition, NEC is monitoring and managing the university’s Voice over IP network using its Remote Managed Services via its Network Operations Center in Irving, TX. To date the university’s wireless network has had a failure rate of less than 1 percent.

Based on desires expressed by university students, the campus IT staff embarked on the effort in 2006 to provide wireless LAN-based voice and data access. Using student survey data as backup, the University IT Services department obtained support for a student service fee from students, administrators and Board members to fund the project.

Today, the University of Arizona’s wireless network -- dubbed UAWiFi -- spans more than 7 million square feet, 4,500 wireless access points and 22 buildings. Upon completion, the deployment will comprise more than 6,000 access points and 12 million square feet on two campuses. The network has more than 19,000 WLAN devices connected at any given time and has scaled to more than 53,000 during peak times.

“The University of Arizona wireless network is a shining example of NEC, its partners and the customer working together to execute across vendors and technologies to deliver quality service and support to the end-user,” said Don Fiorentino, vice president and general manager of western regional sales for NEC Unified Solutions. “NEC services and partnerships are cornerstones of our UNIVERGE360 approach to unifying enterprise communications.”

For information on the University of Arizona and other NEC customer deployments, visit NEC Unified Solutions online at www.necunified.com.