Four new AT&T cell phone towers recently built on campus have improved general reception for users, but may cause disappointment for iPhone users attempting to use Internet service on campus, according to AT&T and University officials.
The new towers, which were installed this past December and May, operate on AT&T’s 3G network – the newest and fastest wireless service. Reception for AT&T customers – about 60 percent of all campus cell phone users – has improved, but some features the new network offers remain unavailable for AT&T’s new iPhone users.
The iPhone operates on the Edge network, which is the predecessor to 3G. According to the New York Times, Apple CEO Steve Jobs decided against integrating the new network with the iPhone to conserve battery life. The result is slower Internet and application downloads and uploads. Edge phones also cannot take advantage of many of the features available on 3G such as streaming live video and faster application downloads.
The new towers coupled with the recent switch to a secure wireless network on campus, may cause a less than desirable iPhone user experience on campus. On Monday, campus Internet “lsuwireless” changed to “lsusecure” – a more secure and protected wireless server.
“The iPhone, in particular, doesn’t work well with new secure infrastructures like we have now on campus,” said Sheri Thompson, Information Technology Communications and Planning officer.
The 3G network will force iPhone users to rely on the two nearest Edge wireless operating towers near campus to access wireless Internet – one located in downtown Baton Rouge and the other on Burbank Drive.
“We won’t know for sure how good the wireless reception will be on campus until the majority of students return for the fall,” said Peter Davidson, director of facility services.
Phone call reception for AT&T has improved, and the Internet and other unique services offered by 3G are available for users who have phones using new wireless technology, according to AT&T Spokesperson Sue Sperry.
“3G network offers the best of wireless use – speed, features and technology,” Sperry said. “It is the next generation of wireless, and it’s so new that it’s not everywhere.”
During the reconstruction phase after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Louisiana became the first of the gulf states to receive the 3G technology, mainly in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
“AT&T made a sizable network investment in Louisiana during 2005 and 2006,” Sperry said. “After the Katrina, everything had to be redone.”
The four new towers are located on top of CEBA, Herget, Middleton Library and the Life Sciences buildings.
“We were running into problems on a day-to-day basis, but especially during football season,” said Ric Simmons, associate director of telecommunications at the University. “[AT&T] recognized they needed to improve coverage not just on game days, but every day.”
Before building the new towers, AT&T was placing a portable cellular tower on campus to compensate for the game-day crowd. The company also used portable towers in the months following Hurricane Katrina to handle the sudden influx of users. In 2005, AT&T began seeking a permanent solution to the problem.
“We had some different customers complain about wireless service on campus and were looking for a solution,” said Davidson. “This will improve the service, but we won’t know for sure how good the reception will be until the majority of students return for the fall.”
—Contact Wallace Levy at [email protected]