Sacramento State students could have access to wireless networking technology in the University Union by next fall, if the project gains final approval.

The operations committee for the Union plans to add the service to lounge areas and meeting rooms to meet increased demand for Internet access by students who have trouble accessing the popular hardwired connections available now.

Wireless technology would allow more convenient access from mobile devices anywhere in the Union, said Donald Tucker, University Union assistant director of operations.

“It is the convenience of being able to set up wherever,” Tucker said.

The Union currently offers students a direct network connection, but the number of connection jacks is limited.

“Sixty percent of the time, these tables are occupied,” said Christian Borlovane, a senior in the computer science department. “Wireless would allow us to sit anywhere and still have access.”

In addition to convenience, installing wireless technology would enable more students access simultaneously, Tucker said.

Students expecting wireless to offer a faster on-ramp to the Internet will be disappointed.

“It would actually be a slower connection,” Tucker said.

But computer users in the Union like Borlovane do not think that a slower connection is a problem.

Borlovane said that most computer users do not need a high-speed connection, adding that accessing the Internet and checking e-mail is the primary purpose of laptop users in the Union?s lounges.

University Union officials worry that an unauthorized user could gain access to the campus network using a wireless connection.

The Operations Committee hopes to see this technology implemented by the fall semester, but the plan is still in the “very early” stages, according to Tucker.

The direct network connection currently available will remain in the Union, and plans have also been discussed to expand the number of connections available.

Tucker said the estimated cost of installing the new networking technology would range from $5,000 to $20,000.

The Union?s Budget Committee has not finalized the budget yet, but hopes to implement the project as soon as possible, according to Tucker.

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