Most Texas A&M University students are opting to use cell phones exclusively instead of traditional landline phones. Managing increased cell usage and expanding mobile coverage have become priorities in order to maintain quality of service for all campus cell phone users. To address these needs, Texas A&M Telecommunications has installed a Distributed Antenna System, becoming a leader in introducing this innovative wireless technology.

Instead of large cell towers, DAS uses microcells of antennas mounted on or in a building to provide better coverage and added capacity in defined areas. Forty-six microcell nodes have been installed so far to areas of high cell usage. These include residence halls, West Campus, and Kyle Field. DAS will continue to expand as more antennas are added to this system.

AT&T and Verizon Wireless have signed agreements with Texas A&M to use DAS. Customers of these participating carriers should see improved mobile service on campus.

For additional information, view the presentation on DAS given by Walt Magnussen, Director of Telecommunications, at the IT Forum on July 30, 2008.