Private Wireless Networks Tutorial

Rethinking Campus Connectivity for Higher Education IT Leaders

December 8, 2025

8:00 am to 11:30 am

Supported by:

Click Here for Registration Information

Why You Should Attend

Internet2 TechExchange is the premier technical event in the global research and education (R&E) community.

This year’s program includes expert-led sessions with exciting content in four tracks, along with tutorials, working meetings, and co-located events.

Tutorial Summary: To equip higher education IT leaders with a strategic understanding of advanced wireless networking solutions like Private 5G and Neutral Host, demonstrating their transformative potential for campus safety, research & innovation, grant acquisition, and advanced campus operations.

Sessions Include:

  • Beyond Wi-Fi: Making Wireless a Strategic Foundation for Your Connected Campus
  • Solving the Cellular Coverage Challenge: New Cost-Effective Solutions for Campus Safety and
    Operations
  • Leading with Private 5G Innovation Hubs: Driving Research, Grants & Revenue
  • Advanced Application Innovation with Programmable Networks.
  • How advanced wireless solutions are a foundational layer for critical campus operations, enhancing everything from smart buildings to
Register to Attend Here

Location/Venue:

The Sheraton Denver Downtown
1550 Court Place, Denver, CO, 80202
Reservations: 888-627-8405

Tutorial Leaders

Ashish Jain
Co-Founder
Private Wireless PRO

Mark Houtz
Regional IT Director
Northeastern Utah Educational Svcs

Jonathan Polly
Chief Technology Mger: 5G Innovation Lab
Cal Poly University San Luis Obispo

Jamaal Smith
Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Private Networks Kajeet

Program At a Glance

7:00am

Badge Pickup, On-site Registration, Networking

8:00am

Welcome & Introductions

  • Ashish Jain, Co-founder, Wireless Enterprise PRO

8:05am

Beyond Wi-Fi: Making Wireless a Strategic Foundation for Your Connected Campus

This session challenges conventional thinking about wireless infrastructure. It will explore how advanced wireless solutions can become a foundational layer for critical campus operations, enhancing everything from smart buildings to IoT deployments and real-time data analytics. This session will emphasize the paradigm shift required for IT leaders to view wireless beyond traditional Wi-Fi, positioning it as a strategic and critical asset for the connected campus.

Key Topics:

    • The limitations of Wi-Fi for emerging campus needs.
    • Identifying strategic gaps in current wireless deployments.
    • The concept of wireless as a utility for digital transformation.
    • Examples of how advanced wireless solutions such as Private Cellular can support campus-wide initiatives.

    Ashish Jain, Co-Founder, Wireless Enterprise Professionals

8:30am

Solving Campus-Wide Cellular Coverage Challenge: New Cost-Effective Solutions for Campus Safety and Operations

This segment will delve into innovative and cost-effective solutions for addressing public cellular coverage gaps across campus, both indoors and outdoors. It will introduce Private 5G & Neutral Host models as a viable alternative to traditional, expensive Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), reducing reliance on individual mobile operators.
Key Topics:

        Private 5G & Neutral Host 101 (15 min):

        • Understanding the challenges with existing in-building wireless solutions
        • Understanding the core concept of CBRS Neutral Host networks.
        • Different deployment models (e.g., private ownership, shared infrastructure).
        • Advantages over traditional DAS (no DAS, minimal operator dependencies).
        • Business value proposition for higher education – Emergency calling, Private Cellular & more.

        Case Studies: Learning from Your Peers (30 min):

        • Real-world examples of universities successfully deploying Neutral Host & Private Cellular solutions.
        • Challenges faced and lessons learned.
        • Quantifiable benefits in terms of cost savings, improved coverage, and enhanced safety.

        Jonathan Polly, Chief Technical Manager, Cal Poly University
        Jamaal Smith, Vice President Sales, Private Networks, Kajeet

9:15am

Networking Break

9:30AM

Private Cellular Network Isn’t Complicated: Integrating Cellular & Wi-Fi Networks for Optimal Performance

This session will provide a crucial comparison and integration guide for Private Cellular (5G/LTE) and Wi-Fi technologies. Cellular has generated significant buzz, but network engineers need clear guidance on when to deploy one over the other, or how to integrate them effectively.

We will dive into the core differences and similarities between Private Cellular and Wi-Fi, addressing key questions:

  • Comparison & Selection: How do the two technologies compare in terms of performance, range, and capacity? Learn the pros and cons of each and examine real-world use cases where one technology clearly wins (e.g., dense coverage, mobility, mission-critical applications).
  • Technical Deep Dive: We’ll demystify the two environments by clarifying the nomenclature. Understand how components and concepts that share a function (like a “controller” or “client device”) are named differently in Wi-Fi versus Cellular.
  • Integration and Coexistence: Discover where and why you should consider using a Private Cellular network to cover areas or sites where your traditional Wi-Fi network struggles. How to handle the common challenges in private cellular network planning and introduction to AI-driven network planning tools.
  • Access & Mobility: We’ll explore advanced identity and access methods, including the potential to leverage a Passpoint/eduroam-like security model to seamlessly integrate user access across both Wi-Fi and Private Cellular networks for enhanced mobility and user experience.

    • Mark Houtz, IT Director, Utah Education Services

11:00am

Leading with Private 5G Innovation Hubs: Driving Research, Grants & Revenue

This session will highlight how higher education institutions can leverage programmable Private 5G networks to establish innovation hubs. These hubs can become critical assets for securing research grants, developing future workforce training programs, and generating revenue through collaborations with external enterprises across various verticals.

Key Topics:

  • Advanced Application Innovation with Programmable Networks:
      • Exploring the power of 5G programmability
      • How programmable networks enable new research paradigms and innovative applications.
      • Examples of cutting-edge applications developed on Private 5G.

    Ashish Jain, Co-founder, Private Wireless PRO

11:30am

Q&A and Wrap-up

Description:

    • Open Q&A with all speakers.
    • Recap of key insights and action items.
    • Resources for further exploration.
Reserve Your Seat Here