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University Park
Fee-Based Maintenance Support for non-VoIP Telephone Systems and Instruments Being Replaced with T&M Charges

What does this mean to you?

With the large scale transition of voice services from a vendor provided service to Voice over IP, several areas of concern are focused on the telephone instruments and systems that are an inherent part of the Nortel-based and Verizon-provided Centrex service. The systems and instruments affected include:

• Norstar Systems
• Meridian, plain-old-telephone-services (POTS)
• Other non-Voice-over-IP (VoIP)-based telephone instruments.

Effective August 1, 2006, ITS will provide time and material (T&M) based maintenance which will replace the Monthly fee-based maintenance on Telephone Instruments.  (Note: This announcement does not pertain to Merlin systems.  Please see MERLIN VOICE PROCESSOR EQUIPMENT & TELEPHONES information pertaining to those systems.)

In order to facilitate a smooth transition, and to accommodate those who choose or need to delay conversion to VoIP-based services, departments which have submitted a signed Telecommunications Service Requisition (TSR) form to convert to VoIP by July 31, 2006 will be able to retain monthly maintenance support on their legacy telephone systems until their VoIP-based service is activated, or December 31, 2006, whichever comes first.  This encourages orderly transition, and affords up to 5 additional months of Monthly-fee based maintenance, for those groups not able to transition to VoIP before this period.

These changes mean current Centrex users have two options:

• Continue with the current legacy telephone system under the T&M maintenance. Note that proprietary equipment (e.g., Meridian systems) currently in use with Centrex may be displaced by new technology.
• Begin the transition to VoIP. Click here for more information on VoIP.

What if I have a device or am in an area that may not be readily accessible for VoIP technology?

An analog VoIP-based service is available to provide voice communications services for many areas not able to otherwise utilize VoIP-based services. The Analog VoIP-based service supports devices such as fax machines and cordless phones that may not yet be compatible with VoIP technology and to serve where it may not be otherwise possible to install VoIP technology. The analog service helps to minimize the number of user offices located in facilities unable to utilize VoIP-based services, due to cabling limitations or other building constraints. The "dial tone" rate for the analog VoIP-based service is $14.65/month versus $15.50/month for Centrex based service.

Who should I contact to discuss my voice communications options?

Please contact TNS through the web service inquiry form (Voice System Services Inquiry Form) or call (814) 865-1696 for Service Charges and Lead Times.

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