Measuring wireless network success: an analysis of a University in Ohio

ABSTRACT

With many colleges facing restricted financial support for technology investments, this study of a wireless network project at a university in Ohio provided results of acceptance and a method for measuring success of wireless networks on campus. This study included results that reinforce earlier research on how the intention to use a wireless network is influenced by conditions facilitating such use and by the users' trust in the wireless network.

According to the Campus Computing Project's survey data for U.S. colleges and universities, there has been continued growth in wireless Ethernet network deployments since 2002. However, the literature lacks information relating to how universities can measure the usage and acceptance of their wireless networks to demonstrate project success.

This study demonstrated that fewer than half of student participants used the wireless network on campus despite nearly all student participants suggesting they would use a wireless network if one were available. The field project results support differences among participants' intention to use wireless networks based on gender and year of study in higher education.

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Index Terms

• General and reference

  • Cross-computing tools and techniques

    • Metrics