Wifirst: transforming student living at micampus Wynwood

In today’s fast-paced digital age, reliable and high-speed internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity, especially for students pursuing their academic dreams. To address this crucial need, Wifirst, a leading expert in Managed WiFi as a Service, has partnered with micampus – an award-winning student accommodation provider – to help create a digital transformation that enhances the quality of student living and academic success.

Wifirst’s impactful partnership with micampus

Wifirst is proud to play a pivotal role in micampus’s digital transformation strategy, which is centred on creating a seamless and harmonious living experience for students. Through the deployment of robust and seamless digital networks, the partnership has already encompassed five micampus residences and 502 beds in the summer of 2023. Looking ahead to Q1 2024, plans are underway for five more residences, adding an additional 713 beds, resulting in a connected portfolio of ten residences and 1,215 beds in Madrid’s Fuencarral District alone.

The synergy between Wifirst’s cutting-edge technology and micampus’s commitment to student wellbeing aims to set new standards in student living. It’s a powerful combination that’s driving change and elevating the student living experience.

Digital solutions: revolutionising student living

Wifirst’s digital solution for micampus is centred around a holistic approach to connectivity. The heart of this technology is Vodafone redundancy fibres interconnected through a VPN-LAN, linking multiple buildings into a unified digital backbone. Additionally, Wifirst utilises dedicated local fibres to offer superior WiFi 6 connectivity. Each facility is equipped with a primary gateway and a backup for emergencies, ensuring uninterrupted service and security. This technological foundation creates a seamless experience for students by eliminating the need to switch between different WiFi networks when moving between buildings.

This transformative solution not only improves the academic and recreational experiences of students but also reduces operational costs and enhances security. It simplifies access to various facilities and services through a single set of credentials, fostering greater community engagement among students.

Creating a private network with Room Area Network (RAN)

The digital architecture implemented by Wifirst extends beyond basic internet access. It establishes what is known as a Room Area Network (RAN), a private network environment in each student’s living space. This allows students to manage various smart devices securely and efficiently, from laptops and smartphones to gaming consoles and smart speakers. The central management system streamlines operations and reduces the risk of errors and security breaches, creating a safer and more reliable network.

“In public network environments, seamless connection between devices is impossible due to security constraints. Nowadays, young people usually have an average of 5 wireless devices in their space with which they interact with often. Our RAN solution is the only way to securely allow these devices to find each other and connect, without worrying you’ve connected to the neighbour’s device.”

Javier Garcia, Country Manager, Spain

Maximising the partnership

The results of Wifirst’s collaboration with micampus have been remarkable. The central management system has reduced labour costs, and the dual-gateway configuration ensures uninterrupted service and enhanced security. Students have praised the seamless and high-quality internet connectivity that has improved their academic and recreational experiences.

The partnership has led to an expansion of services, integrating third-party services and IoT devices such as connected door locks, all while maintaining a seamless experience for users. Daniel Moreno, CTO of micampus, affirms the significance of Wifirst’s role in their expansion project, highlighting professionalism and excellence in connectivity.

“Excellence in connectivity is now a requirement in the PBSA sector. Wifirst has been able to adapt to the exponential growth and quality standard of micampus. For us, having Wifirst as a technological partner is the best sign of professionalism and a key part of our technological expansion project.”

Daniel Moreno, CTO, micampus

Sustainability commitments

Wifirst’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) aligns with micampus’s dedication to societal and environmental responsibility. Wifirst holds an EcoVadis ‘gold medal,’ ranking among the top 5% of telecom companies worldwide for CSR performance. This award underscores their focus on deploying clean digital infrastructure, being a responsible employer, and maintaining ethical relationships with stakeholders.

This collaboration between Wifirst and micampus exemplifies how supplier/operator partnerships can drive extraordinary outcomes in student accommodation. By creating a unified digital ecosystem, they’re setting a new standard for student living and academic success. With a shared focus on excellence, sustainability, and innovation, Wifirst and micampus are paving the way for the future of student accommodation.

The partnership’s success is reflected in micampus’s recognition as the ‘Best Student Residence Operator in Europe’ by The Class Foundation in 2022, solidifying their position as a leader in the student accommodation sector. This partnership sets high standards in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) objectives and reinforces their commitment to creating a healthy, sustainable environment for students. Together, we have transformed student living at micampus Wynwood, setting a new benchmark in the industry.

Sponsored article