Case Study: Keele University achieves a wireless-first, sustainable smart campus and innovation test bed with HPE Aruba Networking

Creating a sustainable smart campus as test bed for innovation

Keele University, a large UK campus aiming to be carbon neutral by 2030, needed a wireless-first, high-performance network across its 617‑acre site to support 10,000+ students, campus visitors and a growing array of IoT sensors and third‑party applications. The challenge was to unify wired and wireless infrastructure, centrally manage and secure access, and create a platform to collect data for smart energy, building and facilities management.

Using Aruba Edge Services Platform components — Wi‑Fi 6 indoor/outdoor APs, mobility controllers and conductor, Aruba CX switches, plus AirWave, ClearPass, location services and BLE beacons — Keele deployed a unified, centrally managed network. The rollout delivers consistent wireless performance, enables mobile and media‑rich learning, supports research and industry trials as a living lab, powers smart‑campus services (energy optimisation, bookings, EV charging, safety apps) and safely opens network access to the local community.

Keele University

Daniel Perry

Chief Information Officer