UW-Madison - IT - Wireless Equipment Implementation Standard

This policy applies to anyone who operates, in UW–Madison spaces, equipment that emits energy in the wireless spectrum, including UW–Madison faculty, staff, students, affiliates, contractors, vendors, and visitors. This policy applies to authorized operation of wireless equipment in the licensed spectrum only insofar as such operation causes harmful or unintended interference with other operators’ equipment. 

1. Responsibilities of Wireless Equipment Operators

   1. Acquiring Wireless Equipment

Not all wireless equipment can be made to work alongside other equipment within a given space. To help ensure that university resources are not wasted on unusable equipment, operators should do the following before acquiring wireless equipment:

1. 1. 1. Consult the Wireless Equipment Directory to determine potential interference from other operators with equipment on the same frequencies near the intended deployment location.

      2. Work with other operators; local IT; school, college, or division (S/C/D) IT leadership; or the Division of Information Technology (DoIT) to determine what equipment specifications are needed for conflict-free operation in the intended deployment location (see Section I.B.1 for specifics).

      3. Contact the DoIT Help Desk for help understanding equipment specifications, as needed. The Help Desk will facilitate connections to DoIT Network Services when appropriate.

      4. Follow all university, school/college/division (S/C/D), and local unit policies and procedures regarding the purchase of IT equipment. 

   2. Deploying Wireless Equipment

When deploying wireless equipment, operators must take reasonable steps to avoid or minimize interference with other operators’ equipment. Such steps include:

1. 1. 1. Minimizing potential interference from the deployed equipment by:

         1. Reducing transmission power to the minimum threshold needed to meet goals;

         2. Using frequencies with the least existing interference;

         3. Using the narrowest frequency width needed to meet goals;

         4. Operating equipment only when necessary; and

         5. Making use of any available interference detection/avoidance functionality

      2. Consulting the Wireless Equipment Directory to determine if other operators have equipment near the deployment location and communicating with those operators to coordinate mutually agreeable deployment of equipment. Researchers operating wireless equipment as part of research on wireless spectrum interference should take special care to coordinate with nearby operators to avoid or minimize the potential for adverse effects.

      3. Adding relevant information to the Wireless Equipment Directory to facilitate other operators’ awareness of deployed equipment.

      4. Responding to other operators’ requests for information about equipment in use.

2. Responsibilities of Units Contracting with Third Parties

Units contracting with third parties must: 

1. 1. Inform vendors or contractors of obligations under this standard.

   2. Facilitate coordination between vendors/contractors and other operators of wireless equipment in UW–Madison spaces, including DoIT Network Services.

   3. Follow all university, S/C/D, and local unit policies and procedures regarding the purchase of IT equipment.

This responsibility applies when contracting with third parties that will:

• • Deploy or use wireless equipment in UW–Madison spaces or

  • Build or renovate physical facilities in which wireless equipment will be deployed once work is completed.

Covered entities may include, but are not limited to, those who provide the following services:

• • Vending or concessions

  • Audio-visual

  • Construction

3. Responsibilities of DoIT

   1. Network Services

DoIT Network Services will:

1. 1. 1. Add information about wireless equipment they operate to the Wireless Equipment Directory to facilitate awareness and coordination; 

      2. Facilitate development and maintenance of best practices for avoiding conflicts with equipment they have deployed;  

      3. Direct wireless equipment operators to the Wireless Equipment Directory and other relevant knowledge documents and resources; 

      4. Provide general input on equipment purchases as needed and practicable; and

      5. When appropriate and feasible, assist operators, local IT staff, or S/C/D IT leadership with deploying wireless equipment so that interference is avoided or minimized.

   2. Help Desk

The DoIT Help Desk will:

1. 1. 1. Field inquiries and complaints related to wireless equipment acquisition or deployment;

      2. Direct wireless equipment operators to the Wireless Equipment Directory and other relevant knowledge documents and resources; and

      3. Escalate inquiries to appropriate groups when needed.

4. Responsibilities of the Designated Wireless Spectrum Resources Coordination Advisory Group

   1. Support awareness and coordination by encouraging parties outside of DoIT Network Services to add information about wireless equipment they operate to the Wireless Equipment Directory; and 

   2. Facilitate development and maintenance of best practices for avoiding conflicts with equipment deployed by parties outside of DoIT Network Services.

The Advisory Group’s responsibilities may be carried out directly by the group, or through collaboration with other groups (e.g., DoIT Communications, the Information Technology Collaborative Coordination Committee [ITCCC]). 

Contact

Please address questions or comments to itpolicy@cio.wisc.edu.

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