Our Network Deployment Projects
TESCONET Wi-Fi Upgrade Project
Wi-Fi is now the primary method by which customers, staff, and faculty access the company network and all other IT services. Their previous wireless network design and coverage did not adequately support the growing level of use, necessitating changes to the system.
Goal
The goal of this project was to improve the density of the Tesco Wi-Fi network throughout each store, to improve performance and reliability, improve the colleague and customer user experience, increase the efficiency of our networking services, and better support system efficiency and reliability
We achieved this by implementing a modern Wi-Fi network infrastructure that supports 802.11ac/ax 5.0GHz connectivity throughout the store with a primary focus on increasing WIFI Connectivity
Project Scope
- Tesco’s previous wireless infrastructure manufactured by HPE/Aruba Systems had aged and reached the end of its supported life. This project replaced infrastructure with a modern solution manufactured by Juniper MIST
- Extensive installation of data cabling has been completed to support the installation of approximately 3,000 new access points and the relocation of an additional 4,000.
- Cabling for relocated and abated old Wi-Fi access points was removed.
- This work was funded through June 2020 with a plan to have 45% of approximately 10,000 total WAPs (Wireless Access Points) installed by then. This estimate was based on the current projected design and modifications to the Wi-Fi system. Additional funding was approved in July 2022 to continue this critical work.
Current Status
As of December 2024, Along with our Partners we have completed the originally planned upgrades to Tesco Wi-Fi infrastructure. We replaced 5,170 obsolete access points across campus with 5,400 modern access points, increasing density and capacity for Wi-Fi connectivity and enabling new services to be deployed to improve access options for our users. Initially, the project goal was to provide Campus with a 100% 5Ghz capable, Wi-Fi 5 (AC) network. In addition to meeting this goal, 46% of access points are now Wi-Fi 6 (AX) capable



