Image credit: University of Oxford Images / John Cairns Photography
The highs and lows of improving University Wi-Fi
As part of Oxford’s digital transformation, the University is in the process of upgrading its Wi-Fi and expanding its Managed Wireless Service into more department and faculty buildings to make sure you always have a reliable connection to use.
It’s a big job. Every building has its own quirks (and sometimes its own wildlife), so this isn’t just a case of sticking a few extra boxes on the wall, job done: the aim is to find solutions to some tricky challenges to provide a more consistent service that works everywhere, including in some of the key outdoor spaces you may use.
What’s happened so far
The Improving Wireless Programme formally got underway in July 2025, but the University has been testing and installing kit since early 2024. So far, the team has installed 1,300 new Wi-Fi access points across all four academic divisions – with plenty more to come.
To get it right, the rollout team works closely with those in each building to understand how spaces are used – from lecture theatres and libraries to cafés and gardens.
Historic buildings: making Wi-Fi invisible
Oxford’s older spaces don’t always welcome 21st-century tech with open arms. In listed buildings, access points often need to be discreet, and new installations can require formal permission.
Creative solutions are often required. In the Examination Schools, brackets have been wrapped in coloured vinyl to match individual room paintwork, for example. At the Museum of Natural History, access points have been carefully blended into the wooden ceiling so they’re hard to spot – which is exactly the point.
Modern buildings: different problems, same goal
Newer buildings can still be tricky. Thick concrete, metal pillars, and other structural features can interfere with signals, so detailed radio surveys and bespoke designs are often required. Older “modern” buildings can also need specific surveys before any installation work can begin.
One thing that helps? Getting involved early in major projects – so cabling and data points can be built in from the start, rather than retrofitted later.
Mind the peacocks (and the pigeons)
Some of the challenges are less technical and more, well, 'Oxford'. A few that spring to mind:
Bedrooms in buildings with overnight guests can only be surveyed in the short gap between checkout and housekeeping.
The Wi-Fi survey at Harcourt Arboretum was repeatedly interrupted by inquisitive peacocks, leading to calls for rescue by the gardening team.
In one building, a weak signal turned out to be caused by a pigeon nesting on top of an external access point – excellent Wi-Fly for her, less so for everyone else...
What to expect
The team are moving as quickly as they can across academic departments and faculties and other University spaces. They’re prioritising quality – because done badly, access points can cause signal clashes and make things worse, rather than better. It may take time in some spaces, but that’s because the team is doing the careful work needed to get it right first time.
The goal of all this is straightforward: a service that’s consistent and secure, and really good Wi-Fi that works for everyone.
You can find out more about this work on the Improving Wireless Programme pages of the IT Services Programmes and Projects website.
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