South Bend, Indiana —In the evolving landscape of campus technology, university networks are no longer confined to lecture halls and libraries. Increasing demands for high-speed, low-latency connectivity—from academic research to gameday streaming—have pushed institutions to rethink their wireless infrastructure. Nowhere is this shift more visible than at the University of Notre Dame, which in late 2024 became the first higher education institution in the United States to deploy Wi-Fi 6E Standard Power outdoors.
Located in South Bend, Indiana, the University of Notre Dame transformed its iconic 80,000-seat stadium into a showcase of next-generation wireless capabilities. Enabled by HPE Aruba Networking, the deployment leverages the newly opened 6 GHz spectrum approved by the FCC in September 2024, allowing for increased bandwidth, reduced congestion, and support for thousands of simultaneous device connections.
The Wi-Fi 6E rollout was activated just in time for the Fighting Irish’s playoff game against Indiana University on December 20, 2024, during which wireless traffic peaked at an unprecedented 26 Gbps—nearly triple the stadium’s previous record. The system’s backbone consists of over 1,100 indoor and outdoor access points supported by 150 network switches, coordinated via Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) to ensure regulatory compliance and consistent performance.
The network overhaul is part of a broader “wireless-first” strategy led by the Notre Dame Wireless Institute, aiming to expand Wi-Fi 6E across the entire campus. University data at the time projected that by the start of the 2025 academic year, up to 90% of the 13,000-strong student body would be using at least one Wi-Fi 6E device.
The stadium now doubles as a live research facility, with projects underway exploring Internet of Things (IoT) deployments, extended reality, and artificial intelligence applications. Smart turf monitoring systems, augmented reality stat overlays, and experimental 3D replay technologies are all being trialed within the stadium’s connected environment.
John Buysse, Senior Director of University Network and Telephony Services, explained the motivation behind the deployment. “Moving to 6E standard power isn’t just about creating a better experience for fans — it’s about improving connectivity for staff, faculty and students across the University. We’re thinking long-term.”
The fan experience also saw a measurable leap. Visitors can now benefit from contactless ticketing and concessions, real-time stat streaming via Fighting Irish Media, live AR overlays, and even high-definition video chats from within the venue. These services function smoothly thanks to the massive bandwidth afforded by the 6 GHz band.
Mike Atkins, Infrastructure Architect at Notre Dame, emphasized the dual benefit of the network: “This project was about more than just upgrading Wi-Fi. It’s about staying ahead, giving our fans and community the best experience possible, and making this campus a leader in connectivity.”
As of 2025, Notre Dame continues to pilot private 5G (P5G) technology as a complementary solution, especially for areas where licensed spectrum offers unique advantages. Results from these pilots will inform future wireless deployments both on campus and potentially across other higher education institutions.
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