Telecommunications & Networking provides mobile telephones and airtime service. If there are any questions regarding mobile telephones or service, contact Telecommunications & Networking Customer Services at ext. 7-2061.

Purchase of Mobile Telephones

Submit a Telecommunications & Networking Service Request Form (SRF). The following information should be included on the SRF:

• The principal user of the mobile telephone.
• Selection of an airtime rate plan.
• Selection of mobile telephone.
• Training - Basic instructions are given when the mobile telephone is received by the requesting department.
• Help - Problems associated with a mobile telephone or service should be reported to Telecommunications & Networking Customer Services at ext. 7-2061. Reporting of problems will assist the Telecommunications & Networking staff in maintaining a quality mobile telephone service for the University.

Limits of use

• At time of delivery, the mobile telephone customer is required to sign the SRF indicating receipt of the mobile usage policies.
• Use of a University-owned mobile telephone and mobile telephone airtime service is intended for official University business. However, the University recognizes that personal calls are sometimes necessary. The person responsible for the mobile phone must pay for personal calls and calls over minutes.
  • Usage-based airtime plans - When the mobile telephone is used for a personal call, the individual is responsible for the cost of that call. The telephone user should make note of personal calls and write a check to UTHSCSA after review of the monthly call detail. The personal check should be submitted to the Bursar's Office for deposit to the account number billed for the cost of the call.
  • Flat rate airtime plans - If the mobile telephone has a flat rate airtime plan, the customer is responsible for reimbursing the University when personal calls cause the plan threshold to be exceeded. In this case, personal calls must be reimbursed up to the amount over threshold.
  • For all plans, it is recommended that a minimum of 90 percent of the total calls be for UTHSCSA business purposes. Calls home to receive business messages, to inform of a delay to return home, or to stay in touch when out of town, may be considered business calls. Typically, these calls should last no more than 5 minutes.
• Inappropriate use of mobile telephone features such as text messaging and camera capabilities is strictly prohibited and subjected to disiplinary action.
• In the event of a disaster or major emergency affecting the University, mobile telephones may be retrieved and redistributed to priority areas.
• All mobile telephones using the University contract will be restricted automatically from dialing international calls. If international calls need to be made from your mobile telephone on a regular basis, please call ext. 7-2061 to have the restriction removed.

• Installation - Installation or removal of a mobile telephone in an employee's personal vehicle shall be done by a professional equipment service company. Telecommunications & Networking will make arrangements with a service company for installation, maintenance, and de-installation. The vehicle owner must supervise all service. The vehicle owner is liable for the resolution of claims for damage done to a privately owned vehicle by a service company. It is the responsibility of the vehicle owner to make his/her vehicle available for all equipment service work.

Charges for Mobile Telephones

• The purchase of mobile telephones and mobile telephone airtime service is handled by Telecommunications & Networking. After delivery, the telephone is assigned to the requesting department. All charges are billed to the department on the Telecommunications & Networking Inter-Departmental Transfer (IDT).
• Mobile telephone airtime service is obtained through the University contract. The invoice for all airtime service is sent by the service contractor to Telecommunications & Networking. Telecommunications & Networking records the airtime usage for State reporting purposes and includes the call detail and charges in the monthly Telecommunications & Networking IDT, including long distance charges. It is the responsibility of the service user to review the charges and ensure all calls are valid.
• The department will be held responsible for replacement of the mobile telephone if lost, stolen, or damaged, and for any unauthorized airtime usage. NOTE: If the mobile telephone is misplaced, the customer must contact Telecommunications & Networking Customer Services at ext. 7-2061 immediately. If after hours or on weekends, call Cingular at 1-800-331-0500 or Verizon at 1-800-295-1614 for temporary suspension. Telecommunications & Networking Customer Services must be notified on the next business day.

Short-term rental of Mobile Telephones -

A small supply of mobile telephones is available for short-term rental. Requests are filled on a first come, first served basis. The department is charged a daily fee for use of the mobile telephone plus all airtime usage charges for the appropriate days.

Personal Mobile Telephone Expense Reimbursement Policy -

It is the policy of the University that all telephone service purchases be made through Telecommunications & Networking. The University maintains a contract with a vendor for mobile telephone airtime. Reimbursement for airtime charges incurred on a personal mobile telephone airtime contract will be made at a rate not to exceed the University contract rate for usage based airtime. No reimbursement will be made from any University account for monthly service charges, special features, other charges and credits or telephone equipment.

Mobile Airtime-Only Service

Mobile airtime service is available through the University's mobile contract for individuals or departments who already own a mobile telephone. A University account number must be used to pay for the airtime. Call Telecommunications & Networking Customer Services at ext. 7-2061, if you have questions.

Disconnect of Mobile Telephones

When a mobile telephone is no longer needed, a T&N SRF must be submitted to have the mobile number disconnected. This will have the mobile number removed from your monthly IDT and stop the monthly charges.

Antiquated mobile telephones can be transferred to the warehouse as surplus equipment. Contact the warehouse at ext. 7-6021 for further information on surplus equipment.