Since 2020 when previous projects to bring WiFi to all indoor offices, labs, and conference rooms were completed, the Berkeley Lab campus has experienced significant changes in how work is conducted. With the rise of remote work, Zoom meetings, and a growing enthusiasm for outdoor workspaces, the Lab’s IT Infrastructure team has prioritized creating reliable outdoor WiFi coverage to support these evolving needs. Providing coverage for outdoor spaces is important for maintaining productivity and supporting safety.
Addressing a Growing Need
Led by the Lab’s IT Infrastructure team, an initiative to further enhance outdoor WiFi in 2024 was driven by feedback from employees and IT professionals. “We heard from so many people who wanted to work outside but couldn’t because of poor WiFi,” said Rune Stromesness, Department Head of IT Division Infrastructure Services at Berkeley Lab. “It’s clear how important it is to have reliable connectivity in these spaces.” This feedback provided the foundation for identifying priority areas for improvement. The effort focused on areas where outdoor activities and collaboration naturally occur.
Creative Solutions
Improving outdoor WiFi was not just about adding access points; it required creative collaboration between network engineers and facilities technicians to identify cost effective options to add as much useful coverage as possible within a limited budget. The team was able to provide coverage to many picnic tables, bus stops, and popular parking areas by strategically mounting access points on adjacent buildings.
The IT Division has published a rough map of current outdoor locations. Improvements in 2024 included:
- Between Buildings 66 and 62: Added access points to cover picnic tables and bus stops where employees frequently gather.
- ALS Patio at Building 15: Installed coverage for the popular patio area, enabling meetings and collaboration where none was previously possible.
- Building 67 Overhang Patio: Improved connectivity using omnidirectional access points to support both users and vehicles updating maps.
- Grizzly Gatehouse Bus Stop: Added WiFi so users can access bus schedules conveniently.
- 50C Patio Section: Replaced temporary solutions with permanent WiFi coverage, ensuring reliable service during events like holiday parties.
- Food Truck Area: Expanded WiFi coverage to support both diners and vendors who rely on it for point-of-sale systems.
A collaborative future for a connected campus
Berkeley Lab remains committed to expanding outdoor WiFi coverage, with plans to address additional areas in 2025. The Lab encourages employees to provide suggestions for new areas of coverage using this form to help IT prioritize areas with the greatest impact or specific business needs.
These WiFi enhancements reflect the IT Infrastructure team’s commitment to fostering a connected and productive work environment thanks to continuous proactive infrastructure improvements.
As always, if you want to report problems with existing WiFi in indoor or outdoor locations please visit https://help.lbl.gov or email help@lbl.gov.
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