Connectivity Billing FAQ

The new model better aligns with the campus RCM Budget Model Governance.  It also provides many benefits to the campus as a whole:

• The network is a utility and Telecom is now part of the network.  We do not charge campus for other utilities like electricity and water.
• Immediate cost savings to the campus.
• This is a more efficient way of providing Telecom and network services to the campus without individually charging each unit.
• All employees can have a phone number with no additional charges for long distance calls.
• True cost-based accounting places the expense where the employee resides.
   

The process depends on whether your department is under General Fund speedtypes or Non-General Fund speedtypes (Auxiliary, Gift Funds, Development) and is explained below:

Billing for General Fund Speedtypes: Base Budget Reallocation

• The current telecom cost structure will be rolled into OIT Base Budget and reallocation of base budget from the entire campus to cover this expense.
• Any fiscal year increases or decreases will be determined by campus budget policy/RCM Budget Model Governance. 
• There will be no monthly Telecom bills.  

Billing for Non-general Fund Speedtypes (Auxiliary, Gift Fund, Development): Per FTE

• The “Connectivity” fee remains at $30 and will be billed monthly based on total FTE count per non-general fund speedtype. (Ex: Department A has 10 staff; $30x10= $300/mo)
• There will be no additional charges for Toll or long-distance.
• Every Fiscal Year on 1 July, OIT will pull a total headcount for non-general fund speedtypes and update the monthly standard billing amount to be charged out on a monthly basis.  (If a departments FTE count goes up or down throughout the year, it will get reconciled the next fiscal year).

Submit a Cherwell ticket.

While OIT strongly encourages the use of softphones over installation of a physical phone, a physical phone can be requested by using the self-service portal (OIT self-service portal).

Current cost for a physical phone is ($347.00).

• During FY23 only, OIT will provide a physical phone when requested, at no additional charge as a 1:1 swap for those who previously had a Cisco IP desk phone.  However, beginning 1 July 2023, each department will be responsible for purchasing physical phones as needed.

No.  During FY23 only, OIT will provide a headset when requested, at no additional charge.  However, beginning 1 July 2023, each department will be responsible for purchasing headsets as needed.