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UTD Lifts Ban On WiFi Equipment

Posted by timothy on from the magnanimous dept.

boredMDer writes "As seen in this /. story, the University of Texas in Dallas had issued a ban on students operating 2.4 GHz WiFi equipment. However, UTD has now lifted said ban, because of 'the discovery of an FCC ruling prohibiting such a move.'"

5 of 180 comments (clear)

  1. FCC regs. by fimbulvetr · · Score: 5, Informative

    Many fellow /.s predicted this would happen, mainly because like it said, these devices _must_ accept interference.

    For more information on the Part 15 docs, see this site:

    http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_01/47cf r15_01.html

  2. An apology was issued. by Slayk · · Score: 5, Informative

    Not only was the ban lifted, but an apology was issued from the head of IR at UTD. He took full responsibility for the ban (which wasn't run by him before being put in place, afaik) and the less than tactful accusations in the notice.

    Anyway, there's been much geek rejoicement over the past week.

  3. Re:Wifi cards choosing wrong access points by krs-one · · Score: 4, Informative

    As a student who goes to UTD, Information Resources did provide a page just for that after the network was upgraded.

    -Vic

  4. Re:Rights by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    As state institution, they have to follow the constitution. They cannot say "We dont like the way the federal government is working, so we will simply ignore their laws". They cannot just decide that Part 15 doesn't exist and re-implement band plans and regulations of said bands.

    Secondly, there are limits as to what contracts can and cannot allow. The FCC has said that landlords cannot prohibit the private use of spectrum. There is no constitutional right to free-for-all contracts.

    There are also a few cases where this is shown, one case involving a municipial airport authority trying to regulate 802.11b and struck down by FCC, and another case of apartments trying to regulate use of wireless and struck down.

  5. Other Colleges and Universities by AnimusF6 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Keep in mind that UTD is not the only educational institution that has banned WAP. Dickinson College http://lis.dickinson.edu/AboutLIS/Policies/wireles s.htm here in Pennsylvania is, I imagine, one of many others. It may be a small little place, but we should be just as worried. It would be a shame if the enforcement of it's WAP policy were to be used as precedent. Yes, it violates federal law, but I'm not sure how much it would take to convince the FCC (either current or Kerry's) that the college was right and law had to be changed... Does anyone know of other institutions that have violated this law?