Connectivity infrastructure leader Glide has recently forged a significant partnership with the University of Exeter, aimed at delivering an extensive upgrade to both wired and wireless connectivity across the university’s student accommodation estate. This new multi-year contract is set to provide fully managed connectivity services to an impressive total of 5,346 student bedrooms, marking it as one of Glide’s largest deployments within a single university accommodation project to date. This initiative further solidifies a long-standing strategic partnership between Glide and the University, which has been in place since 2007.
Comprehensive Connectivity Solutions
As part of this ambitious upgrade, Glide will implement pervasive high-performance Wi-Fi and wired connectivity throughout not only the bedrooms but also in shared spaces that encompass study areas, social hubs, gyms, and laundry facilities. Furthermore, the solution will extend to include extensive outdoor wireless coverage, ensuring that connectivity is accessible across courtyards, gardens, and communal areas frequented by students. This deployment marks the introduction of Glide’s latest managed connectivity architecture – Glide Home – to the University of Exeter for the very first time.
Enhancing the Student Experience
“Glide has been a trusted partner to the University of Exeter for many years. This new contract allows us to build on that relationship and deliver a consistently high-quality connectivity experience for our students, both now and in the future,” stated Nathan Burden, Divisional Director – Information Technology at the University of Exeter. Glide Home provides students with a secure, private network that seamlessly follows them across their accommodation, allowing for easy, reliable, and secure connections for all their devices, regardless of where they live and study.
Future-Proofing Infrastructure
To accommodate the increasing demand for data across the campus, Glide will also enhance its dedicated fibre connectivity to the University, increasing core capacity to an impressive 100 Gbit/s. This forward-thinking approach reflects the continuous year-on-year growth in student data usage and ensures that the network can scale to meet the evolving digital needs of the student population.
Aligning with Student Needs
“Reliable, high-performance connectivity is essential to the student experience. Glide’s approach, particularly its focus on outdoor coverage and future-proof capacity, aligns closely with how our accommodation and campus spaces are designed to be used,” emphasised Jenny Houghton, Contracts and Residence Experience Manager at the University of Exeter.
Long-Term Partnership and Commitment
The University of Exeter has collaborated with Glide for over a decade, during which Glide has successfully delivered managed services across various student accommodation and broader campus infrastructure projects. The latest contract builds on this established relationship and supports the University’s ongoing commitment to providing a consistent digital experience for students, irrespective of their living arrangements.
Tim Pilcher, CEO of Glide, expressed pride in the partnership, stating, “The University of Exeter is a highly respected Russell Group institution, and we’re proud to deliver this major connectivity upgrade. This contract reflects the strength of our long-standing partnership and our ability to design and operate networks that scale, perform, and evolve alongside student expectations.”
Delivered under Glide’s Infrastructure as a Service model, the upgraded solution will also incorporate advanced network protection and wellbeing services, such as content filtering and crisis intervention capabilities. These additions will support the University’s safeguarding and duty of care responsibilities. The rollout of the upgraded network is scheduled to commence in early 2026, with a phased implementation strategy designed to minimise disruption during the academic year.