Kansas University will spend $2.6 million in the next two years to nearly quintuple the areas covered by wireless Internet access, the school announced Wednesday.

By December 2008, wireless will be available in almost 100 percent of KU’s classrooms, labs and other academic spaces, compared with about 20 percent now. The school also will add 100 new wireless public areas.

In a statement, Provost Richard Lariviere called it “an investment in KU’s future excellence.”

Half the cost of the project will be covered by a $5 per semester, five-year student fee approved recently by KU’s Student Senate, and the rest will be provided through the provost’s office, in part with state money set aside each year for technology improvements.

Wescoe, Fraser and Strong halls will be the first buildings to receive enhancements.