- Which plan offers the best value?
Different rate plans and equipment offered vary by provider, the plan that offers the best value is the one that best suits your need for cellular phone service. Check the individual plans for any special promotions such as extra minutes or free phones.
- When do roaming rates apply?
All providers offer Nationwide Long Distance plans with no roaming charges. Roaming charges would apply to local calling plans w/nationwide long distance when placing a call from outside of the selected plan coverage area.
- If I travel outside my calling plan area, can I still make and receive calls?
Yes.
- Why do I get better reception in some areas than in other areas?
With wireless communications, terrain and even weather conditions can have an adverse effect on reception.
- Will my call breakup or get cut off if I am in my calling area?
Yes, it is possible (see question 4)
- If I have an existing plan, can I change over to the new rates?
Yes, complete the Cellular Phone Order Form indicating the plan of your choice. Forward the form to the Purchasing Department cellular phone buyer for your campus after obtaining an approval signature from the dean, director, or department head of the unit and your new plan option will be forwarded to the service provider.
- How do I sign up for a new plan?
Complete the Cellular Phone Order Form, have it signed by the appropriate dean, director or department head and forward the form to the Purchasing Department cellular buyer for your campus. The Purchasing Department cellular buyer for your campus will review the business justification to ensure that the criteria established in the guidelines have been met. The Purchasing Department cellular buyer for your campus will then forward your plan selection to the service provider.
- Will I receive an individual bill?
Yes, monthly-itemized statements will be sent to you for your review and approval. You will be required to reimburse the university for any personal phone calls made beyond the maximum number of minutes included with the plan.
- What happens if the service provider offers better plans after I sign up?
If the rates currently offered are reduced and there is a more cost effective rate plan, you may elect to change to that plan.
- How long will it take to switch plans?
Switching from a digital plan to another digital plan will be done immediately once the service provider is notified. Switching from an analog plan to a digital plan will take approximately 14 days from the time the Purchasing Department cellular buyer for your campus places the order with the service provider. This time frame may fluctuate depending on the availability of the new digital phone.
- Can I keep my existing digital phone and phone number if I choose to switch plans?
Yes, if it is with the same provider. If you switch providers, you can take your existing cellular with you,. but will have to get a new phone from that provider.
- Are there any security issues I need to be aware of?
Cellular Phone Providers offer free security features (for example, the ability to program a password into your phone) to help prevent fraud or cloning. (Cloning means programming your phone and then trying to use that program on a second phone.) If you notice a questionable charge on your bill or if your phone is lost or stolen, immediately call your provider to report the problem.
- What is the difference between analog and digital service?
Digital transmission is a "different" way to transmit sound over the airwaves. With analog transmission the actual sounds are sent over the airwaves. With digital transmission the sound is converted into a number code, transmitted and reconstructed at the other end. With analog transmission there are more factors that can cause the signal to degrade resulting in noisy static.
- What is alpha-numeric paging?
The caller has the option of either leaving a voice mail message or using the alphanumeric page. Alpha paging is primarily used when the caller has access to a personal computer and can send you a message through email or the Cingular web site via the Internet.
- If I have budgetary sign off authority, do I need a second approval signature?
No.
- If I am switching from an analog plan to a digital plan, or obtain a new phone what do I do with my old phone?
The phone is yours to keep, or if you would like, you can donate it to the Women Aware Organization. Purchasing has teamed up with the Department of Sexual Assault Services and Crime Victim Assistance to donate phones to this local organization. You can either drop off or mail the phone via campus mail to:
Ruth Anne Koenick
Department of Sexual Assault Services and Crime Victim Assistance
3 Bartlett Street, College Avenue Campus
- What is a toll rate?
A toll rate is an additional long distance charge per minute when a call is placed outside the local and extended local calling area .
- What is an airtime rate?
An airtime rate is a per minute charge for any calls made over the allotted free minutes your plans allows.
- What is a roaming rate?
A roaming rate is a per minute charge for any call placed from outside the local and extended local calling area.
