Good news – many of us now can study or work in the basement library at Hurley AND get cellular service via Wi-Fi¹ calling from our cellular carriers. And Spectralink² phones work in the library, too.

As you may recall, when the Hamady Health Sciences Library relocated³ from the first floor in the North Tower to the basement of the North Tower in November 2018, many raised concerns about the lack of cellular service in the basement location. Because the cell phone is used for so many purposes, the lack of service proved to be a barrier and caused some to stop coming to the library.

But if your cellular provider allows Wi-Fi calling and texting on your model of phone (and most do nowadays), you can use your cell phone in the library. And if it doesn’t allow Wi-Fi calling or texting, you could use a Wi-Fi app to make phone calls and texts.

Cellular service providers that allow Wi-Fi calling (depending on your phone model and year)

• AT&T
• Google Fi
• Republic Wireless
• Sprint
• T-Mobile
• Verizon

Common apps that can provide Wi-Fi calling if your cellular carrier doesn’t haven’t it built into your phone

• WhatsApp
• Messenger
• Skype
• Viber

Here’s how to set your phone up to allow Wi-Fi calling and text, if it has built-in capabilities.

1. Enable Wi-Fi calling in your phone’s settings. The steps will be different on each phone, but here’s one example for an Android:
   1. Go to settings (the “gear” icon).
   2. Select Network & Internet
   3. Select Mobile Network
   4. Select Advanced
   5. Select Wi-Fi Calling to enable
   6. Feel free to ask me (Jeni) or Lorita in the library for help.

2. Log into Hurley GuestNet Wi-Fi.
   1. Ask me (Jeni) or Lorita if you need assistance. Or call the Hurley IT Service Center at 810-262-9766
   2. Note that, depending on the number of users and the types of tasks they’re performing on GuestNet, the Wi-Fi service may be slow.

Spectralink dead zone - not in library

Also, it may be true that Spectralink phones do not work in the basement hallway dead zones outside of the library. But they do work inside the library. So go ahead and look up clinical information for a while in the library – your clinical team can still reach you.

Editor’s notes:

1. Wi-Fi: Despite many statements to the contrary, Wi-Fi does NOT stand for wireless fidelity. Instead, it is a trademarked name of the Wi-Fi alliance and is used as a brand name for products using local wireless technology IEEE 802.11 standards. It allows an electronic device to transfer data or connect to the internet using ISM radio bands. Some people call their Wi-Fi connection a “hot spot.” Depending on the settings, these tech standards can provide Wi-Fi access for computers, laptops, smart phones, tablets, etc., up to 120 feet indoors or 300 feet outdoors.
2. Spectralink is a company that provides secure, mobile phones for different sectors, such as health care. Spectralink can use Wi-Fi or digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT, a European-invented digital wireless technology) for voice data purposes (such as TVs, phones, etc.). Some of its phone types can scan and integrate with electronic medical record systems.
3. The medical library was relocated to make room for the construction of the new Dr. R. Roderic Abbott Medical Education Center, which opened Oct. 13, 2019.

Sources: https://www.javatpoint.com/wif... and https://www.cnet.com/news/what...

~Julie Campe