New Rates FAQ's
Q: Why are we implementing new telephone rates?
A: The campus is in process of replacing the Fujitsu telephone system which has serviced the campus for the past 20 years. The system is operating in a degraded state and has not been supported by the manufacturer for the past several years, thus, placing the university and users at risk.
The existing telephone rate model was established when the Fujitsu telephone switch was purchased. It relied heavily on revenue from reselling telephone service to dorm students to offset the fixed cost of maintaining the system. Usage charges were passed on to the units (based on the rates at the time). Since then, usage rates have declined dramatically while our costs to maintain the Fujitsu system have not. Also, the impact of cell phones and Internet based communications has all but eliminated our student revenue.
Because of these changes, the current telephone rates do not reflect our true costs. The new rate structure is designed to correct this imbalance without placing all of the costs on the end users.
Q: When will the new telephone rates go into effect?
A: The new telephone rate structure will go into effect July 1, 2008. ITS will be closely monitoring the expenses associated with the current Fujitsu telephone system and the transition to the new telephone system, and will work with the campus chargeback committee to adjust the rates as necessary, in future years.
Q: Are you waiving the current disconnect charge?
A: Yes, ITS is waiving the current disconnect fee to allow departments and offices the opportunity to disconnect any unneeded phone lines prior to the implementation of the new rate structure. There is no disconnect fee in the new rate structure.
Q: How much will it cost to make a call on campus, in town, or out of state?
A: Unlimited campus, local and domestic long distance (50 states & Washington DC) is included at no additional charge for state billed accounts.
Q: How much will it cost to place international calls?
A: The charge per minute for calls placed to international locations and US territories vary widely by location and time of day. The charges for these calls will be billed at the same rate our long distance vendor charges. ITS will bill for these calls based on our actual costs.
Q: Is there a charge for long distance directory assistance?
A: Yes, the charge for long distance directory assistance is $1.00 per call.
Q: Is there a new monthly recurring charge for voice service?
A: Yes, for state charged accounts you will notice an amount on the "Monthly Recurring Charges" line on your telephone bill. The monthly recurring charge is $8.65. This amount is subsidized by the use of central technology funds available from the Senior Technology Leadership Team. For non-state charged accounts, you will notice a change from the previous $17.00 per month charge to the new rate charge of $14.89 per month.
Q: The low cost fixed rate (or free) local and long distance rates are great, but why do we have to pay a monthly line charge?
A: The use of monthly line charge as opposed to the current weighted usage amounts, more accurately reflects the actual costs of providing telephone service. Also, it helps meet Federal Accounting Standards for chargeback processes.
Q: How much is the new monthly line charge?
A: For state charged accounts, the monthly recurring charge is $8.65. For non-state charged accounts, the monthly recurring charge is $14.89
Q: How do the new telephone rates compare with cellular services?
A: Most cellular plans include a maximum number of minutes at a fixed monthly charge. Exceeding those pre-allocated minutes will cause the user to incur higher usage rates. The new campus rate on the other hand, is a flat per month rate, and there are no extra charges for excessive usage.
Q: Is there a monthly charge for data network services?
A: No, there is no monthly recurring charge for data network connections for buildings with ITRP supplied data networking. For non-state locations there is a monthly recurring charge of $6.33 per port per month for areas with appropriate wiring. Both state and non-state locations may request additional wiring based on the T&M rate.
Q: My office is moving to a different building on campus, is there a charge to move my phone?
A: No, as long as there is appropriate cabling available at the new office location there is no additional charge for moving a phone or data network connection. If appropriate wiring is not available, it may be installed at the T&M rate.
Q: What would the service fee be to install a phone or data network connection if there isn't an available wall outlet?
A: The only charge will be for the labor and materials needed for the installation of a new faceplate and cable. There is a new labor rate of $37.91 for state charged accounts and $58.80 for non-state charged accounts. The previous charge of $353 has been discontinued.
Q: Why isn't the cost for the new telephone system being paid for with central funds?
A: State accounts are being subsidized in the new telephone rate structure.
Q: How were the proposed rates developed?
A: The proposed rates are the result of analysis performed by ITS and the Budget office using prior years expenses and estimated costs for the new system (from a telecom study conducted by WTC). The rates and the analysis were reviewed by, and include feedback from, STLT.
Q: Is there a charge for a voice mail box?
A: No, one voice mail box is included in the monthly recurring line charge. If additional voice mail boxes are needed, the line reservation charge of $1.73 per month for state charged accounts, and $2.98 for non-state accounts will apply.
Q: I want to change the features on my phone how much is the service fee to make that change?
A: There is no charge for making a feature modification.
Q: What is a line reservation charge?
A: The line reservation charge is the charge for additional telephone numbers assigned to a phone beyond the primary number. The line reservation charge also allows a department to "hold" or reserve a telephone number for a period of time. The line reservation charge is $1.73 per month for state charged accounts, and $2.98 per month for non-state charged accounts.
Q: What are all the new telephone rates and charges?
A: The new rate structure is as follows:
Monthly Recurring Charges (State) |
|
Line |
$8.65 |
Line Reservation & Virtual Line |
1.73 |
VoIP - Large |
6.07 |
VoIP - Medium |
4.99 |
VoIP - Small |
2.62 |
Analog |
0.55 |
Soft-phone |
2.78 |
Conference phone |
6.07 |
Data connection (existing TII equiv. wiring) |
NC |
Monthly Recurring Charges (Non-State) |
|
Line |
$14.89 |
Line Reservation |
$2.98 |
VoIP - Large |
$6.68 |
VoIP - Medium |
$5.49 |
VoIP - Small |
$2.88 |
Analog |
$0.61 |
Soft-phone |
$3.06 |
Conference phone |
$6.68 |
Data connection (existing TII equiv. wiring) |
$10.66 |
