Alex Hills

Alex Hills is a Professor of Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), where he has held multiple leadership roles including Vice Provost, Chief Information Officer, and Founding Director of the Information Networking Institute. He led the development of 'Wireless Andrew,' the world's first large-scale Wi-Fi network, pioneering modern wireless campus infrastructure.

His research interests include telecommunications, wireless networking, digital signal processing, and technology deployment in remote and developing regions. He focuses on error detection in wireless systems, policy implications of engineering solutions, and using technology for global development.

The available article highlights his expertise in how digital networks handle voice data, particularly the causes of robotic distortion in phone calls due to packet corruption and error correction mechanisms. His work bridges engineering and public understanding of digital infrastructure.

• Distinguished Service Professor at CMU
• Author of books on Wi-Fi development and connecting remote Alaskan villages
• Senior advisor to 'Technology Consulting in the Global Community' program
• Expert quoted in Consumer Reports on telecom issues

Alex Hills has advised numerous students through university programs and initiatives, particularly those focused on applying technology in developing nations. He has secured institutional support for global outreach projects and continues to mentor students in interdisciplinary tech-policy work. His career spans academia, government service (including as Alaska’s Deputy Commissioner of Administration), and military leadership.

He leads or contributes to teams working on resilient communication networks, especially in underserved areas. His past and ongoing work involves building robust, low-infrastructure telecommunications systems suitable for remote communities and disaster response scenarios.