Technology News
Cellular Phone Coverage on the Malibu Campus
(information last updated 01/07/2008)
The location and physical terrain of the Malibu Campus present significant challenges for cellular service coverage. Information Technology continues to work with cellular service providers to offer better coverage options to our campus community. Unfortunately, this negotiation process is slow due to regulatory and technical constraints. In addition, we have been challenged by some of the recent acquisitions in this market. Outlined below is the current status of cellular coverage by major service providers. This information will be updated as changes occur.
Current Cellular Coverage by Service Provider
Verizon
Verizon Wireless now has three (3) cellular sites providing excellent coverage at Pepperdine University. The School of Law site has been active since August 2005. This site provided coverage on the lower campus, School of Law, and Drescher student apartments. Two (2) additional sites were installed and activated on December 18, 2006. The first new site, located on RAC building, improves lower campus coverage. The Water Tanks site, located at the top of Aqua Mesa Road, provides additional coverage to the Drescher Academic Complex and Drescher faculty/staff homes; and generally provides blanket coverage to the upper campus.
Sprint PCS / Nextel
The current coverage for this service is poor; however, we have recently completed contract negotiations with Sprint for the installation of three (3) cell sites on campus. The construction of these sites is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2008; and service is expected in late 2008. Coverage should be similar to Verizon Wireless since the sites will co-locate at RAC building, School of Law building, and the Aqua Mesa Water Tanks. Discussions are occurring with respect to the provision of new Nextel service in addition to Sprint PCS on the Malibu campus.
AT&T (formerly Cingular)
The current coverage for this service is fair on most of the lower campus and Drescher Academic Complex. An ATT cell tower (then Cingular) was constructed on campus in 2002. Unfortunately, this site was sold, along with all of their other sites in Southern California and Nevada, to T-Mobile. This site is currently providing temporary ATT coverage through an internal agreement between ATT and T-Mobile. We are in contract and design negotiations regarding the building of two (2) new ATT sites on the RAC building and the Aqua Mesa Water Tank site. Construction is expected to begin in late 2008.
T-Mobile
The current coverage for this service is fair in most of the lower campus and School of Law areas, and poor in all other campus areas. We are currently in design and contract negotiations with T-Mobile for an additional site on the RAC building. Construction is expected to begin in the 3rd or 4th quarter 2008.
