"With the influx of new devices, we're going to batten down the hatches and hope things go well, but we're not anticipating massively changing our network and we don't expect data traffic at any levels to hurt our network," Yohn said in an interview.

Students on campus are migrating to using Google mail with native device clients "which lessens our worry that any new smartphone device will cause any kind of infrastructure impact," he said.

Despite those low-key expectations, some analysts said the iPhone 5 could cause disruptions, especially if it sells in the numbers some experts are predicting. Most agree the re-designed iPhone 5, with its larger 4-in. display, faster processor, better optics and LTE, will be popular, with one analyst at PiperJaffray predicting it will sell 10 million units by the end of September.

Pre-orders for the iPhone 5 begin Friday; it goes on sale Sept. 21, Apple said.

Keith Shaw and Ken Mingis discuss the features of Apple's iPhone 5 smartphone, and whether the larger screen, 4G LTE network and other features will excite the legions of Apple fans.