New Zealand is upgrading the Wi-Fi connectivity of all 2,500 primary, secondary, state and state integrated schools. The New Zealand Ministry of Education has selected CommScope to provide up to 38,000 Wi-Fi 6 access points and 12,000 Multi-gig switches.
The Ruckus technology upgrade includes the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6 indoor R650 access point optimised for video-centric learning and the use of virtual reality in classrooms. The technology supports higher data rates, increased capacity and improved power efficiency.
It is also the first time that schools have been able to bring the management of their entire network onto a single platform making troubleshooting of connectivity issues much easier.
Kim Shannon, head of Education Infrastructure Service, New Zealand Ministry of Education said: “Educators have the opportunity to redefine how we communicate and collaborate. Reliable and superfast connectivity is giving students the possibility to do things differently and prepare for new skills that don’t yet exist, giving every student the best chance to thrive.”
With increased streaming and cloud-based educational services, the MoE opted for an advanced Wi-Fi 6 technology approach. The school system will benefit from the high-performance access point coupled with ICX7150, ICX7450, ICX7650 and ICX7850 switches with 10GbE connectivity. Ruckus SmartZone Controllers will manage both the switching and Wi-Fi networks with extended reporting and network analytics available through the Ruckus Smart Cell Insight (SCI) platform.
Commscope local distributed Exeed Limited will supply the devices to The Network for Learning (N4L), a government-owned company.
"Teachers and students need their internet to perform seamlessly throughout the school without having to worry about how many devices are being used at any one time or the type of online learning programmes they want to use,” said N4L chief executive officer, Larrie Moore.
