Have you heard? A new residential Wi-Fi network is coming to campus...just in time for your final exams! Through a partnership with Apogee we are delighted to offer significant enhancements to the network, including:
- Fast and reliable Wi-Fi
- Ability to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously to the network with guaranteed speeds (100 Mbps downloads/50 Mbps uploads) to each device
- Dedicated support for students 24 hours a day
- Ability to create a personal network to connect your smart devices.
Apogee is the nation’s leader in providing managed technology services exclusively in higher education. With more than 350 collegiate clients across the country Apogee has been the residential wireless internet provider at the Pittsburgh campus since 2019 and at the Greensburg campus since last year. The difference in service will be noticeable and immediate!
What do I need to do now?
Create your Apogee account NOW so you will be able to go live on the new system as soon as it is available in your building. Click here for instructions. If you need assistance you can call Apogee at 866-423-4564.
Installation Dates
Please note the installation schedule has changed since the original announcement. Amended dates are bold and italicized.
The following installation schedule has been developed in order to ensure completion of the project before final exam week. Work will begin at 9 a.m. during each installation day. Once installation is complete in a building there will be a brief period with no Wi-Fi connectivity as service is transferred from the old system to the new one. Service interruptions should last no more than two hours (although we anticipate that period to be shorter). Students will receive an email message approximately 30 minutes prior to the service being interrupted. These dates are subject to change, so please check back to see if it has been updated.
| Building | Installation Date |
| LLC | Thur., Nov. 30 |
| Buckhorn Lodge | Fri., Dec. 1 |
| Maple Hall | Fri., Dec. 1 |
| Oak Hall | Fri., Dec. 1 |
| Hickory Hall | Sat., Dec. 2 |
| Hemlock Hall | Sat., Dec. 2 |
| CPA | Mon., Dec. 4 |
| Laurel Hall | Mon., Dec. 4 |
| Briar Lodge | Tues., Dec. 5 |
| Foxfire Lodge | Tues., Dec. 5 |
| Hawthorn Lodge | Tues., Dec. 5 |
| Heather Lodge | Tues., Dec. 5 |
| Larkspur Lodge | Tues., Dec. 5 |
| Timberline Manor | Wed., Dec. 6 |
| Cascade Manor | Wed., Dec. 6 |
| Highland Manor | Wed., Dec. 6 |
| Summit Manor | Wed., Dec. 6 |
| Wilderness Manor | Wed., Dec. 6 |
| Woodland Manor | Wed., Dec. 6 |
| Willow Hall | Thurs., Dec. 7 |
FAQ
Why are we switching to Apogee Wi-Fi in the residence halls?
This new project is the direct result of student feedback, primarily via the Student Government Association. The new Wi-Fi will provide many advantages over the existing technology:
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The new Wi-Fi will be faster, with guaranteed download rates of 100 Mbps and download rates of 50 Mbps on EACH device.
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You will be able to have 10 devices connected simultaneously and will be able to create your own personal network (such as connecting an Alexa or Google Home)
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Dedicated tech support will be available 24/7.
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Apogee is able to resolve most issues faster...typically 90% of issues can be resolved by Apogee remotely.
Is there an additional cost for the new Wi-Fi?
No. There will be no additional charges of rate increases resulting from the switch to Apogee.
Will someone need to enter my room at any time?
Yes. Technicians from Apogee will need to enter your room for approximately 20-30 minutes on the day your building is scheduled for installation. Work will begin at 9 a.m. and could last until 8 p.m. We do not have a daily schedule by room, so please make sure you are awake and ready for the technicians to begin their work at 9 a.m. If you have a support animal and will not be in your room please make sure your animal is confined (as it always should be when you are not in your room) so that it does not interfere with the technicians’ ability to perform their work.
Will I lose Wi-Fi signal on the day of installation?
Yes. However, technicians will work to minimize the amount of “down time.” While there could potentially be brief, intermittent outages as work is performed there will be a period of up to two hours (worst case scenario in large buildings such as the LLC and Willow Hall) when you will have no signal in your building. We will send an email approximately 30 minutes in advance switchover to alert you to the pending outage.
I will be working on a project the day of my building’s installation. What should I do to ensure I don’t lose Wi-Fi access?
Wi-Fi service in the academic buildings, Student Union, and Owen Library will not be affected by this project. So it’s recommended you do your work in one of those areas. Or, if you have a friend in another building not scheduled for installation on the same day you might want to go to their building.
What will happen when installation is finished in my building?
When the conversion to Apogee is complete you will no longer have access to Pitt Wireless or Pitt Gaming in your building. The Apogee service is the only Wi-Fi that will be available. So, we encourage you to setup your account in advance so your transition will be fast and simple…once the signal is live you will only need to log in.
How do I setup my Apogee account?
Setup instructions are available by clicking here. You can also ask the Apogee representative in your building for assistance. Or, you can contact Apogee tech support:
- Email: support@apogee.us
- Voice: 866-423-4564
- Chat: https://johnstown.apogee.us
Will I still have access to wired internet?
No. Only the Apogee Wi-Fi service will be available in residence facilities.
Is Apogee replacing the Wi-Fi across campus?
No. Apogee will only be replacing the Wi-Fi service in residence halls. Academic buildings, the Student Union, Owen Library and other non-residential facilities will continue to have accessibility to Wireless Pittnet.
Will I still need to register my gaming equipment with the University?
No. You can register your gaming unit as one of the 10 devices that you will be able to connect simultaneously. There will not be a separate gaming network.
Apogee provides 100 Mbps download speeds, but I have faster speed at home. Will my equipment be slower on campus?
No. The 100 Mbps download speed is PER device. Your download speed at home is likely shared by multiple devices, which ultimately results in a slower speed on that network.
How do I contact tech support?
All wi-fi tech support questions and issues should be directed to Apogee. You can reach Apogee tech support 24/7 using any of the following methods:
- Email: support@apogee.us
- Voice: 866-423-4564
- Chat: https://johnstown.apogee.us
Do NOT contact the Pitt-Johnstown help desk for issues with Apogee service.