Over the course of the next two to three years, Information Technology Services (ITS) Communication Technologies (Comm Tech) is replacing the legacy AT&T Centrex phone service with a new, hosted, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system from Verizon Business – Verizon Business Hosted IP Centrex (HIPC).
In addition to realizing cost savings for the University upon completion of the transition, this new technology will bring new phones along with the capability to move phones without direct coordination with an outside vendor. This alleviates long wait intervals that are currently imposed with the campus Centrex phone service. (Phone numbers will not change with this transition.)
A project plan is currently under development; however ITS Comm Tech will replace a small Cisco VoIP deployment on campus right away. These phones are currently in use by the following campus customers: WUNC, ITS, and the Renaissance Computing Institute (RENCI). Other customers will be notified well in advance of plans for their transition.
In support of this effort, along with an effort to follow porting requirements from Verizon Business and AT&T, ITS will initiate a service order freeze of all moves, adds, and changes for phone service effective January 13, 2012 through February 22, 2012. Repair and voicemail requests will be supported during this timeframe, as well as most requests to move phones within campus buildings, as these requests do not require coordination with AT&T. Please contact 962-HELP and select option 1 for Telecommunications to consult with an analyst for questions and planning.