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Office of Information Technology

Proposed Airspace Policies, Rules and Regulations

Proposed Airspace Policy for Non-licensed Frequencies

Wireless devices play an ever-increasing role in various research, instructional and administrative functions conducted at NC State University. As such, the wireless spectrum is acknowledged as an institutional resource that must be governed consistently with our mission. All consumers of the wireless spectrum must clearly understand the impact a particular user may have on the overall resource and appreciate the potential problems caused by using unauthorized devices.

This document establishes the university’s policy and jurisdiction governing the use of any device generating frequencies in the non-licensed portions of the electromagnetic spectrum for the purposes of efficient and secure use. Conflicts or security issues due to the use of the spectrum are to be resolved in a manner consistent with the mission of this university. The jurisdiction of this policy is defined as any university-owned property. Individual regulations may be developed to detail the governance of frequency ranges covered by this policy. These regulations shall state the frequency ranges governed, the authoritative body for the range and information regarding conflict resolution.

Proposed 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Airspace Rules

These rules, in compliance with the Airspace Regulation and Airspace Policy, explain the methods for requesting help and approval to install a wireless device operating in the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz airspace.

I. Non-Residential Areas

If a building has been certified as having full wireless coverage, no department shall be permitted to install any wireless network that transmits in the 2.4GHz or 5GHz band. Coverage details for all buildings can be found on our wireless coverage maps (must be connected to VPN to access maps).

No private wireless network should be installed without the explicit approval of Communication Technologies (ComTech). Requests for private wireless networks should be sent to network@ncsu.edu with the following information:

  • Your contact information
  • Building
  • Desired coverage area (such as room number)
  • Device description
  • The frequency band in which the device operates
  • Business justification

Special requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. ComTech will grant the user permission to install the wireless device under the Rules for Implementing Wireless Networks at NC State if approved.

However, suppose ComTech must subsequently install wireless data networking equipment that will interact with the previously approved equipment in that area. ComTech reserves the right to invalidate the previous wireless device approval in that case. ComTech will invalidate prior permission only when there is no practical channel configuration that will avoid interference. In such a case, ComTech will notify the original requester as soon as possible about the interference and will specify a deadline for removing the device. The requester will be given a minimum of 30 days’ notice.

When a customer wants to install a wireless device that will interfere with a ComTech wireless data networking device, ComTech will attempt to find a channel configuration allowing for co-existence. If interference can be avoided, the customer will be granted permission to install the wireless device in question using the channel assignments specified by ComTech; otherwise, the request will be denied.

A denied or invalidated request may be appealed to the Infrastructure Subcommittee of the University Information Technology Committee. To be placed on a subcommittee meeting agenda, please get in touch with the chairperson, Greg Sparks, at greg_sparks@ncsu.edu.

II. University Housing and Greek Village

All university housing, Greek Village and ES King Village have pervasive wireless coverage. Therefore, residents are prohibited from installing personal wireless access points.

Proposed 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Airspace Regulation

This regulation for the governance of the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz airspace has been implemented in compliance with the Airspace Policy for non-licensed frequencies to preserve the security, utility and flexibility of the campus wireless data network. ComTech shall be the authoritative body presiding over these frequency ranges to fulfill the university’s mission for data networking.

Section I. If a building has been certified as having full wireless coverage, no department shall be permitted to install any wireless network that transmits in the 2.4GHz or 5GHz band. Coverage details for all buildings can be found on our wireless coverage maps (must be connected to VPN to access maps).

No private wireless network should be installed without the explicit approval of ComTech. Special requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Section II. All university residence halls have pervasive wireless coverage. Therefore, residents are prohibited from installing personal wireless access points.

Section III. In the event a private device broadcasting in the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz range interferes with a ComTech-supported device, ComTech has the right to remove the interfering device from the affected area based on the following established priority:

  1. Anything deemed a university initiative (including but not limited to the campus wireless data network) shall be assigned the highest priority.
  2. Departmental initiatives (e.g., medical equipment, research projects, classroom technology) shall be the next highest priority.
  3. Personal convenience technologies such as cordless phones operating in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands and individual wireless access points shall have the lowest priority.

Appeals to a ComTech decision can be brought before the Infrastructure Subcommittee of the University Information Technology Committee.

Section IV. Interference caused by devices radiating in the covered frequencies affecting production systems will be addressed case-by-case. These cases will be handled under the 2.4 and 5 GHz airspace rules.