Telecommunications News

Voice Mail Step-by-Step Instructions Added

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:14:34 CST

New step-by-step instructions for using the voice mail system have been added to the Telecommunications web site. The Voice Mail System Guide (pdf) also is available, which provides instructions in a visual format as process flowcharts.

Mobile Phone Use Restrictions in School Crossing Zones

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:11:38 CST

Enforcement of mobile phone use restrictions in school zones began November 16, 2009 in College Station, TX. Using a wireless communication device while driving in a school crossing zone is prohibited unless the vehicle is stopped or a hands-free device is used. Warning signs have been posted in school zones to notify drivers. Violators can be subject to a fine of up to $200. The law exempts use of a wireless device to make an emergency call, such as dialing 9-1-1. For more information, see H.B. No. 55.

Telecommunication Installations in Life Sciences Building Completed

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:30:36 CST

Telecommunications completed installations in the new Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building. Services installed included Voice-over-IP phones and a keyless card access security system.

Deadline for Submitting Department Listing to New Verizon Directory

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:22:07 CST

Wednesday, October 14 is the deadline to provide information for the new Verizon directory released December 2009. This information should be submitted to Geneva Johnston no later than October 14. Her contact information is 979.458.1834, geneva-johnston@mail.telecom.tamu.edu, 1174 TAMU. Departments are charged $1.16 per month per line for the listing. This charge is included within the department's Centrex phone bill.

One-Way Pagers Issues Resolved

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:24:51 CST

Update October 14, 2009: Pager issues have been resolved, and units are working correctly.

USA Mobility reports that some issues may affect one-way pagers in the Bryan/College Station area, especially inside buildings. Users may experience some missed or garbled pages. The company currently has an onsite technician working to correct the situation. An ETA is not yet available, but Telecommunications will continue to check and post reports.

Telecommunications Aids MSC Forsyth Gallery Move

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:43:47 CST

With the renovation of Texas A&M's Memorial Student Center, the Forsyth Center Galleries have relocated during the construction period to the Fibertown (Wimberly) Building at 110 N. Main St. in Bryan, TX. Telecommunications installed voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) phones in the Galleries' new location. VoIP is a technology that lets users make phone calls over the Internet by converting analog audio signals into digital data.

Voice-Over-IP Installed in New TIPS, Real Estate Center Buildings

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:40:00 CST

Telecommunications installed voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) phones in the new Texas A&M Institute for Preclinical Studies (TIPS) building and the Mays School of Business Real Estate Center. VoIP is a technology that lets users make phone calls over the Internet by converting analog audio signals into digital data. Telecommunications is commencing an extensive project to replace current campus phone systems with VoIP.

Pager Issues Resolved

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:24:50 CST

Update Sept 1, 2009: Pager issues have been resolved, and units are working correctly.

Some customer reports have been received that pagers are not working. Telecommunications has contacted USA Mobility about the outages, and the company is working to correct the situation. An ETA is not yet available, but we will continue to check and post reports.

Telecommunication Rate Changes for FY 2009/2010

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:30:32 CST

MEMORANDUM

TO: Department and Agency Heads, Deans, Vice Presidents, and Provosts

FROM: Walt Magnussen, Ph.D., Director for Telecommunications

SUBJECT: FY 2009/2010 rate increase

This memorandum serves as advanced notification that the Telecommunications Department has proposed a 5% rate increase effective September 2009.

Telecommunication bills consist of overhead, which funds the operation of the Telecommunications Department, as well as charges for outsourced services that are passed through to the vendor. In January 2009, the Telecommunications Department billed 3,590 separate accounts with an average monthly bill of $356.27. A 5% overhead increase will result in an average bill increase of $17.81 per month per department.

This rate increase, only the third within the past 20 years, is caused by several factors. The primary factor is the increased demand for core infrastructure, funded by Telecommunications, but not billed to the departments. This infrastructure includes communications facilities construction, facilities renovation, and installation of fiber optic cable.

This 5% increase will impact all services billed by the Telecommunications Department with the exception of the “APIT network connection charge,” set by Computing and Information Services (CIS) and reflected on the Telecommunication bill.

Telecommunications Recognized for Contributions to the Next Generation 9-1-1 Initiative

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:10:25 CST

Texas A&M Telecommunications was recently recognized by the US Department of Transportation's Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for contributions to the Next Generation 9-1-1 initiative.

The current 9-1-1 system was created decades ago to transmit voice media only. It was not designed to handle the multimedia communication in a wireless, mobile society. The US DOT's NG9-1-1 initiative was initiated to establish a foundation for modernized emergency communication services. This next generation 9-1-1 network will enable transmission of voice, text, video, and photos, and provide in a more robust, resilient emergency communication system.

Texas A&M Telecommunications was a key participant in this project, which was launched in 2006. Texas A&M served as one of three prototype testing laboratories for demonstrating proof-of-concept for the NG9-1-1 model. A $1.3 million grant from the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) funded Texas A&M's participation in this project.

Visit the following links for more information about the NG9-1-1 initiative:

Research and Innovative Technology Administration: Next Generation 9-1-1

New Radio and Communications Building To Be Constructed

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:58:23 CST

Telecommunications announced that a new building to house radio and communication systems will be built at the base of Hensel Tower. The new building will provide space to house the 800-MHz radio system, the KAMU radio transmitter, hardware for the Distributed Antenna System, and equipment to support communications for the proposed university-owned apartments. It will replace a World War II-vintage Quonset hut, will provide increased security and improved heating, cooling, and humidity management. Construction is expected to be completed by September 2009.

New Reduced Rates for Metrocall/USA Mobility Pagers

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 07:54:04 CST

The Telecommunications Department is pleased to announce new, reduced rates for Metrocall/USA Mobility pager users. Rates are effective with the January 2009 billing period (excluding administrative fees and surcharges).

Service	Old Pricing	New Pricing	Monthly Savings
2Way	$27.00	$14.95/$17.95	$9.05-$12.05
Alpha - Nationwide	$48.30	$19.95	$28.35
Alpha - Statewide	$12.08	$5.50	$6.58
Alpha - Local	$7.88	$5.00	$2.88
Digital - Nationwide	$37.80	$18.00	$19.80
Digital - Statewide	$7.35	$4.20	$3.15
Digital - Local	$4.73	$3.15	$1.58

For a full listing of USA Mobility plans, rates, and options, please email Mark Herro at mherro@tamu.edu.

Distributed Antenna System Provides Better Cell Phone Service on Campus

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:21:33 CST

Most Texas A&M University students are opting to use cell phones exclusively instead of traditional landline phones. Managing increased cell usage and expanding mobile coverage have become priorities in order to maintain quality of service for all campus cell phone users. To address these needs, Texas A&M Telecommunications has installed a Distributed Antenna System, becoming a leader in introducing this innovative wireless technology.

Instead of large cell towers, DAS uses microcells of antennas mounted on or in a building to provide better coverage and added capacity in defined areas. Forty-six microcell nodes have been installed so far to areas of high cell usage. These include residence halls, West Campus, and Kyle Field. DAS will continue to expand as more antennas are added to this system.

AT&T and Verizon Wireless have signed agreements with Texas A&M to use DAS. Customers of these participating carriers should see improved mobile service on campus.

For additional information, view the presentation on DAS given by Walt Magnussen, Director of Telecommunications, at the IT Forum on July 30, 2008.

Emergency Alert System Radios Deployed

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:27:34 CST

As part of Texas A&M's Code Maroon initiative, Telecommunications is delivering Emergency Alert System (EAS) radios to university departments, residence halls, and building proctors. Funded by the university, EAS radios provide additional ability to quickly communicate health and safety emergency information. They operate in a similar fashion as weather radios and will only broadcast emergency messages relevant to the campus. Texas A&M System components will be able to purchase radios for $65.00 per unit.

Please note that each radio will be equipped with batteries (6 AA), along with set up/maintenance instructions, and will already be programmed to the correct channel, 90.9. For further information and guidance, see "Emergency Alert System Radios."

Commercial Bryan Facility Now With Dedicated Campus Connection

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:49:43 CST

Fibertown is a Tier IV data center in downtown Bryan providing redundant power and cooling, physical security, and 24/7 availability. Fibertown, in conjunction with Texas A&M, provides a private fiber connection for the exclusive use of Texas A&M customers. This fiber connection, administered by Texas A&M NIS, extends the Texas A&M campus network (at gigabit speeds) to the Fibertown data center making it a near term solution for dwindling campus machine room space. Fibertown's fiber connection to Texas A&M also facilitates interconnections to the TTVN and LEARN networks.

Because this new service is under a master purchase agreement, campus users do not need to use the bid process to rent space in Fibertown. The agreement offers flexible lease options, including renting partial or entire cabinets, month-to-month rental, or leasing for the entire year.

Telecommunications is administering this new service and the Fibertown work order form is available at http://telecommunications.tamu.edu/Home/Accounts/Forms.php. As a further convenience, your department will be billed through Telecommunications, so you will not need to set up billing with Fibertown.

For more information about the facility, visit http://fibertown.com/colo/.

For questions on the new service, please contact Telecommunications at 979.845.1020.

Sincerely,
University Telecommunications

NotifyLink Email Service

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:44:50 CST

NotifyLink offers a cost-effective single solution for wireless access to email, calendar, contacts, and tasks across a range of mail providers and mobile devices. Instead of buying multiple services to support different devices used by employees, departments now only need NotifyLink.