Colleges and universities operate small cities, with research networks, residence halls, stadiums and hospitals sharing one infrastructure.
Connectivity Counsel advises higher education organizations on connectivity, communications, cloud and security. We compare more than 230 providers on your behalf and help you select and implement the right mix, at no cost to you.
What matters most in higher education
- Multi-gigabit and wavelength connectivity
- Campus-wide Wi-Fi
- Research-grade cloud connectivity
- Security operations for open networks
Recommended solutions for higher education
Wavelength Services
Wavelength services provide dedicated, very high-capacity optical circuits, typically 10 Gbps to 400 Gbps, between data centers and major sites.
Dedicated Internet Access
Dedicated internet access (DIA) is a private, symmetrical fiber connection with guaranteed bandwidth and a service level agreement, so the speed you buy is the speed you get at all hours.
Managed Wi-Fi and LAN
Managed Wi-Fi and local area network services design, install, monitor and support your wireless and switching infrastructure.
Cloud Connect
Cloud connect services provide private, dedicated links from your network to public cloud platforms such as AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.
Security Operations Center and SIEM
A managed security operations center with security information and event management collects logs from across your environment and investigates alerts for you.
Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS)
Unified communications as a service combines business calling, video meetings, team messaging and mobile apps in one cloud platform billed per user.
Compliance and regulatory considerations
Technology decisions in this sector are commonly shaped by FERPA, GLBA Safeguards Rule, and HIPAA for medical programs. We help you shortlist providers whose attestations, contract terms and service designs support those obligations, and we coordinate the documentation your auditors, insurers or customers request. Your own legal and compliance advisors remain the authority on what applies to your organization.
Providers with experience in this sector
40 providers in our portfolio identify education as a core market. A sample:
- Marco Technologies
- Mindsight
- Momentum Telecom
- Nextiva
- OnSip
- Powernet
- RingCentral
- Sangoma
- Segra
- SilverSky
- Skywire Networks
- Spot On Networks
- Telesystem
- UniVoIP
- Xcitium
- Zultys
- Accelecom
- ActZero (now WatchGuard)
- AudioCodes
- Blue Mantis
- Bluebird Fiber
- Cloudli
- Consensus Cloud
- Convergia
How an engagement works
- Discovery. We review your locations, contracts, invoices and pain points.
- Design and sourcing. We match requirements to providers and collect comparable quotes.
- Selection. You receive a clear comparison of cost, capability, contract terms and risk.
- Implementation and support. We coordinate installation and stay involved for moves, changes, renewals and escalations.
Frequently asked questions
What technology services do higher education organizations need most?
Priorities typically include multi-gigabit and wavelength connectivity, campus-wide Wi-Fi and research-grade cloud connectivity. Common solutions are wavelength services, dedicated internet access and managed wi-fi and lan.
Which compliance requirements affect technology choices in higher education?
Decisions are commonly shaped by FERPA, GLBA Safeguards Rule, and HIPAA for medical programs. Connectivity Counsel helps you shortlist providers whose services and documentation support those requirements.
Can Connectivity Counsel support multiple locations?
Yes. We source and coordinate services across single sites, regional groups and nationwide footprints, and can consolidate many local providers under one managed program.
Does it cost anything to use Connectivity Counsel for higher education technology?
No. Connectivity Counsel does not charge clients for advisory, quoting or ordering support. Providers compensate us when you choose their service, and you pay the provider directly under the provider's own contract and pricing.
Is Connectivity Counsel tied to a single provider?
No. Connectivity Counsel is an independent advisor with a portfolio of more than 230 providers. Recommendations are based on your addresses, requirements, budget and timeline, and we show you competing options side by side.