[Nov 23, 2009 14:09] Web access to Microsoft Live@edu accounts now works.
Students
You may have questions about whether your current cellular telephone service will work well on Grounds. In general, students are advised that cell phone service is sometimes spotty on Grounds, but is always improving, and varies from provider to provider. Different phone models with a single provider also vary in their ability to pick up signals in some areas. You may want to compare towers and coverage, roaming charges, and store locations when you’re making a decision.
If you are unsure what service is best for you, the best course of action may be to wait until you have arrived on Grounds, bring your current mobile phone with you, and evaluate then.
Faculty and Staff
Wireless and cellular telephone service needs of faculty and staff can be met in a variety of ways. VITA (Virginia Information Technologies Agency) has contracts with five cellular service providers: Verizon (which recently purchased Alltel); AT&T; Nextel (part of Sprint Nextel); Sprint; and nTelos. Information on available plans and equipment may be found on VITA's website. Please note that AT&T is the only vendor that supports iPhones. (Please see below for information on Apple 3G and 3GS iPhones.)
Cellular phones and service supplied through VITA do not require a “user contract”. There is no termination fee applied when service is cancelled. Low cost plans are available with the entire state of Virginia as the local home area.
The University of Virginia is required by the Commonwealth of Virginia to purchase cellular services from supplier contracts designated by the state as "mandatory." The Medical Center is exempt from this requirement.
Upon selecting a plan and equipment, please email your request to vitarequests@virginia.edu. Once received, your order will be processed to VITA. Please allow 7-11 business days for your equipment to be shipped from VITA's supplier to ITC Communication Services.
ITC Communication Services has researched the process to request exemptions from the mandatory VITA cellular telephone contracts. Departments that believe that their business needs (functionality or cost) are not met by this requirement should contact Communication Services (April Brown, amb2b@virginia.edu, Assistant Manager).
Communication Services will process appeals to utilize alternate vendors as long as departments provide specific cost data and/or strong justifications for why they need to remain with a different carrier.
Note: You will receive the detailed listing of the calls that you place approximately 90 days after the call is dialed. This delay is due to the three monthly billing cycles attributable to the cellular service vendor, VITA, and Communication Services.
Apple 3G and 3GS iPhone Information
VITA has resumed shipment of the iPhone 3GS. All previous orders are still active and are being shipped out by AT&T.
Cancellation of Cellular Service
Requests to cancel service, change service or port numbers for cellular phones must be submitted to ITC Communication Services, vitarequests@virginia.edu. Please do not contact the local carrier about any of these issues. Failure to properly notify Communication Services about changes could result in ongoing charges.