5G in Universities: Enabling Near Limitless Learning
We've got some great deals going on right now exclusively for our online customers... chat now to hear more! Author: Katie McNeil,Date published: October 20, 2025,Today's classroom is a case study on the transformative power of technology on how to help turn universities into smart campuses. From the calculator to video conferencing, advancements in technology continually reshape the educational experience. Some educational technology tools, such as the whiteboard or overhead projector, have greatly enhanced classroom tasks when introduced. Others have truly redefined education—such as the personal computer and the internet, which opened new worlds for students. Today, having a 5G network offers the prospect of allowing universities to provide learning experiences previously inconceivable. From immersive virtual learning environments and enhanced collaboration to more equitable and safer campuses, deploying educational institutions with the improved connectivity needed to support better learning. Deploying on campuses could enable educational institutions to help educators . On a 5G campus, virtual reality can immerse students in multisensory experiences, shifting classrooms from a knowledge transfer model to a rich, smart campus . The outlines four ways technology enhances or transforms learning: substitution, augmentation, modification and redefinition. In the virtual world, learning is no longer limited by the four walls of a classroom. In a smart campus, with 5G-fueled virtual field trips, students could walk on the ocean floor, float in space or go back in history. In a simulated operating room, medical students could practice open heart surgery or control a robot to treat a patient remotely. A 5G campus that incorporates could promise more engagement than traditional lectures. To transport a student to an archeological dig in Africa requires massive amounts of streaming data. Significant buffering can pose issues when students are immersed in virtual military training or exploring a nuclear power plant. The ability of a 5G network to support increased data volumes with low lag (latency) is . A high-bandwidth 5G network can extend the smart campus learning experience to anywhere students and professors have access to it. —The boundaries by using 5G on campus become, in effect, the world. One of the promises of next-generation networks is to make the . Access to higher-speed internet can mean improved access to and . Using 5G networks in universities could potentially extend its network to students beyond the campus border, helping to close the digital divide. In the most rural parts of the U.S. less than have access to high-speed internet. The lack of digital equity in education affects nearly in the U.S. Without the need to lay fiber or cables for last-mile connectivity, 5G networks could be a cost-effective solution for expanding . In addition to expanding connectivity beyond the campus, 5G networks, where deployed, could provide the bandwidth to boost . 5G networks in universities could help improve the learning experience for students with disabilities with the speeds needed to keep up and power . Using extended reality (XR) applications, students can practice real-world skills—such as crossing a street, shopping or social interaction—in a safe, virtual environment. Students needing extra help will benefit from 5G-enabled robots and learning assistants. Using 5G speed, pricey learning experiences such as far-flung field trips and complex science experiments are accessible to many more students in a virtual world. is at the heart of work. Learning should be, too. There is no collaboration without connection, and 5G networks can offer connections on par or faster than those with only 4G. Deploying 5G networks on campus could help provide the bandwidth to connect multiple classroom devices (i.e. 3D printers, smart boards, VR headsets, etc.) all at once with low lag—simultaneously connecting with on-campus students (who average having ) and remote learners needing a reliable stream from afar. The immersive learning possible with 5G networks and smart campuses means students might be able to actively participate in the learning form best for them. Whether a student is on or off campus, 5G networks could help ensure that their ability to collaborate with peers isn't hindered by a slow connection. The on learning—on and off-campus—is enormous. When connection speed isn't a significant issue, teachers can focus on teaching and not on technology. Learning is an inherently social process, and teachers will always remain central to the experience. Like other educational technology advancements, 5G networks serve to augment a teacher's impact, not replace it. This all translates to more learning and less lagging. 5G networks are not just about faster connection for smartphones. They promise to be a campus catalyst for immersive learning, equitable experiences, seamless collaboration, innovative research, and tighter security. Do you have the bandwidth for smart campuses and near-limitless learning? Verizon can help you harness the power of secure 5G connectivity on your . 5G technology could have a significant impact on higher education, bringing about various opportunities and advancements that can transform the learning experience on college campuses. Here are some ways that 5G and smart campuses are likely to affect higher education:,The widespread deployment of 5G on university campuses is still in the early stages. While some universities and research institutions had begun testing and exploring 5G technology, the full-scale implementation and availability of 5G networks on most university campuses were not yet common. Universities often serve as testbeds for new technologies, including 5G, to explore their potential applications in research, education, and campus infrastructure. For example, some universities have used 5G networks for faster internet, remote learning, virtual classes, IoT applications, research, innovations, campus security, and more. Call sales,Chat with us,Have us contact you,Get updates,Already have an account?,* Required,The information provided will be used in accordance with our terms set out in our . Please confirm you have read and understood this Notice,Verizon may wish to contact you in the future concerning its products and/or services. If you would like to receive these communications from Verizon, indicate by selecting from the dropdown menu below. 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