Radio Frequency Spectra

  1. Issued:November 15, 2017
  2. Revised:November 15, 2017
  3. Last Reviewed:November 15, 2017
  4. Policy Number: FO-78
  5. Responsible Office:Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost
  6. Policy Contact: consult@illinois.edu
    (217) 244-7000
    IT Pros contact net-trouble@illinois.edu
    (217) 333-1000
  8. Print Policy

Purpose

This policy addresses operation of devices that intentionally generate and emit radio frequency energy and which may cause harmful interference to the University’s wireless communications system and ensures that the system remains functional and provides the necessary support to the University’s research, administrative, and teaching mission. This policy also is intended to prevent misuse of University service set identifiers (SSIDs).

Scope

This policy applies to any intentional radiators (defined below) operating in the ISM (2.4 GHz) and UN-II (5 GHz) bands, to any intentional radiators operating in the future radio frequency spectrum that may be allocated to public unlicensed use, and to any University and non-University owned or managed Wi-Fi equipment advertising SSIDs identical or confusingly similar in name to University owned SSIDs, as well as the owners and operators of such devices and equipment.

Authority

The Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost has authority to implement and enforce this policy through the Office of the Chief Information Officer (CIO).

Policy

No researcher, faculty, student, staff member, or guest shall operate an intentional radiator of RF energy in the ISM, UN-II, or future assigned unlicensed bands on University property in such a manner that causes harmful interference with the University’s IllinoisNet wireless infrastructure.

No researcher, faculty, student, staff member, or guest shall operate a wireless access point providing wireless access on University property and advertise a service set identifier (SSID) identical or confusingly similar to those SSIDs used to provide IllinoisNet wireless access, including the terms “IllinoisNet,” “IllinoisNet_Guest,” and “Eduroam.”

Definitions

Access Point or Wireless Access Point (WAP)
A communications device containing one or more radios operating in the ISM (2.4 GHz), UN-II (5 GHz) or any bands in the future radio frequency spectrum that may be allocated to public unlicensed use, that provides network connectivity to a mobile user under one of more of the following: IEEE 802.11a, b, g, n, or ac. University access points are physically wired into IllinoisNet.
IllinoisNet
The communications and networking wired and wireless infrastructure at the University in its entirety. It also refers to one of the service set identifiers (SSID) advertised by IllinoisNet wireless access points, which provide connectivity to mobile devices operating on campus.
Intentional Radiator
A device that intentionally generates and emits radio frequency energy by radiation or induction.
RF energy
Electromagnetic energy at any frequency in the radio spectrum between 9 KHz and 3,000,000 MHz.
SSID
Users use a SSID to identify and access a wireless local area network or “Wi-Fi” network.
Wi-Fi
Wireless local area network utilizing devices based on the IEEE 802.11 set of standards.
ZigBee
Wireless automation technology operating in the ISM (2.4 GHz) band in accordance with IEEE 802.15.4.

Processes/Procedures/Guidelines

Technology Services shall investigate claims of interference, and when such claims are validated as harmful interference, shall require the responsible operators to cease operation of that intentional radiator. The wireless networking group of Technology Services shall have the final determination as to whether harmful interference is being produced. Any non-authorized intentional radiator causing harmful interference that is physically or electronically connected to IllinoisNet shall be disconnected and physically removed by Technology Services. A log of all operators causing harmful interference shall be kept by the wireless networking group of Technology Services and repeat offenders shall be subject to loss of temporary privileges (guests) or disciplinary action in accordance with University disciplinary policies (students, faculty and staff).

It is recommended that operators of devices that emit interference try to minimize the interference where possible in order to minimize the likelihood of the interference reaching the harmful interference level and in order to be respectful of others in the University community.

Technology Services shall require any operator of a University or non-University owned or operated Wi-Fi access point to cease operation if found to be advertising a SSID identical or confusingly similar to a SSID in use on IllinoisNet. By operation of an access point on University property advertising a SSID identical or confusingly similar to a SSID in use on IllinoisNet, the operator grants Technology Services and the Office of Privacy and Information Security the right to inspect the access point and connected computing equipment for evidence of wrongful use and identity theft. Technology Services may confiscate the operator’s equipment for up to 30 days for forensic analysis. Any operator found to be engaging in credential fraud will be subject to disciplinary action and/or criminal prosecution.

Exceptions

  1. Intentional radiators in the ISM band, UN-II band, and any bands in the future radio frequency spectrum that may be allocated to public unlicensed use and that are established as part of a research program are excepted from this policy, provided that the wireless networking group of Technology Services determines that users in the locations covered by such a research program agree to interrupted or degraded access to IllinoisNet. Posting of prior notice in the affected area jointly by the implementing researcher and Technology Services, and email notice of the possibility of degraded access and interruptions, without objection, shall constitute agreement.
  2. Door access systems, HVAC controllers, and other machinery connected by ZigBee wireless automation systems are excepted from this policy provided that the wireless networking group of Technology Services determines that the wireless automation systems are maintained and operated within specified power limits and do not interfere with IllinoisNet.
  3. Personal cellular wireless dedicated hotspots or cellular wireless Wi-Fi repeaters operated in campus open areas that are not covered by IllinoisNet and which do not advertise SSIDs identical or confusingly similar to SSIDs used to provide IllinoisNet wireless access are excepted from this policy.

Contact

General: Technology Services Help Desk
consult@illinois.edu
(217) 244-7000
IT-Pros: net-trouble@illinois.edu
(217) 333-1000

Related Laws

Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47 – Telecommunication, Chapter I – FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION, Part 15 – RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES, Subpart A, Section 15.5 – General conditions of operation

  1. Issued:November 15, 2017
  2. Revised:November 15, 2017
  3. Last Reviewed:November 15, 2017
  4. Policy Number: FO-78
  5. Responsible Office:Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost
  6. Policy Contact: consult@illinois.edu
    (217) 244-7000
    IT Pros contact net-trouble@illinois.edu
    (217) 333-1000
  8. Print Policy
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