[dylan604]

I was wondering if LTE was also blocked for some reason causing everyone that be forced to use WiFi. Clearly, that's not the case. Are people unable to make the logical jump that WiFi isn't needed on mobile?

Even so, that still meet's whatever UT's goal is that it's not on their network. <shrug>

Edit: clearly, the sarcasm intended in wondering if someone was blocking LTE wasn't self-evident. Followed immediately by "Clearly not the case" should have been a clear indicator that it was a bit rhetorical and not something truly being considered.

[kube-system]

UT-Austin doesn't operate commercial cell phone service, and jamming cell phone service is illegal.

[gnicholas]

> jamming cell phone service is illegal.

My local Macy's has found a workaround: thick walls. Ain't no way you're checking the price on Amazon inside their four walls!

[kube-system]

Jokes aside, the walls are probably thick because Simon Property Group gets better insurance rates.

[gnicholas]

The thick walls did precede smartphones, but when I found out that Macy's tracks customers via in-store wifi, [1] I wondered if they might keep using thick walls in the future, to ensure that customers have to use the wifi.

1: https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/retailers-tracking-shopper...

[kube-system]

As I understand, bluetooth beacons are really the go-to for this.

https://www.shopify.com/retail/the-ultimate-guide-to-using-b...

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/06/14/opinion/bluet...

I don't really think their marketing team is getting involved in determining the electromagnetic characteristics of the construction materials used in their locations, if much at all. And while Macy's does own a notable amount of property, much of their real estate is leased. And yet more of the property they own, they did not build. The reason that commercial construction from the 1980s interacts with your phone's signal is the same coincidental reason it will likely do the same in 2040: steel and masonry are good for large commercial buildings.

[rchaud]

LTE is provided by national cell networks that aren't state-funded, so the law probably doesn't apply to them. Universities usually administer their own networks (at least they did in my rural uni 10 years ago), so they would have to comply with state laws.