Conference Calls
Conference calls with two or less external parties can be arranged free of charge using the Conference feature of the telephone system.
Conferencing services are provided by VITA (the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (formerly DIT)) and the rate for services averages $0.11 per minute consisting of $0.05 per minute to dial into the bridge (Richmond telephone number requiring use of a Forced Authorization Code [FAC]) and $0.06 per minute to use the VITA conference bridge. Each person participating generates a separate $0.06 per minute charge that will be included in the total of the bill that the person scheduling the conference call receives.
VITA offers 24 x 7 coverage and your choice of how to make a reservation varies based on time of day:
- 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday
Call: 804-371-5574
E-Mail: audioconf@vita.virginia.gov
FAX: 804-371-5556 - 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m., Monday - Friday plus Weekends, Holidays
CALL: 804-371-5574 (will be provided on-call pager number for operator to set up conference call)
Automatic Call Distribution (ACD)
Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) is a service available to any University Department wanting incoming calls to go to a single/main number and be distributed among a number of staff because the volume is too large to be handled effectively by one person. This single/main number is the one published in the phonebook and is not assigned to a particular telephone. When someone calls this single/main number, the ACD routes the call to one of a group of working telephone extensions that have been assigned to the ACD group.
An ACD can help a department handle calls in a more efficient manner. In order to determine need, a department will generally look at their call volume and determine how many people it will take to answer calls with an acceptable wait time. During busy times when an agent is not immediately available, an ACD can queue calls, provide a recorded announcement, forward the call to someone designated to handle call overflow, offer a voice mail option, or give the caller a busy signal. A department determines what options a caller will be offered when the ACD is initially set up.
For more detailed information on ACD, please see http://www.itc.virginia.edu/commserv/telephone/ACD-Explanation.html.
Caller ID Service
ITC/Communication Services provides Caller ID services on calls placed to and from the University.
Caller ID generally provides a number, name, and calling time and date to the party receiving the call. People who subscribe to Sprint's Caller ID service receive both the caller's name and number. Most cell phone subscribers will find that Caller ID number-only service is included in their basic plan at no additional charge.
Your home phone has provided Caller ID information for many years. Each time you place a call, your phone number and name are sent to the party you are calling. Persons subscribing to Caller ID service can easily identify the calling party (except perhaps when the caller is using a pre-paid calling card).
Not having Caller ID has caused significant problems for many segments of the University. Many people outside the University choose not to answer unidentified calls because unidentified calls often come from telemarketers. Other people use screening services which intercept unidentified calls. These services make it hard for University departments to complete outgoing calls. Adding Caller ID to our telephone system helps departments to easily contact their customers.
With Caller ID, the number of the telephone line you are calling from will be visible on the called party's Caller ID telephone. If the telephone can also show a calling name, the called party will see UNIV OF VA. Another result of this project is that Caller ID number information will be available on calls coming into the University. Like most cellular telephone systems, the U.Va. phone system does not support incoming caller name. To see the Caller ID number, you must have a digital phone model with a display.
At home, you can dial *67 to block sending your name and number to the person you are calling. You can do this from your University telephone by dialing access code "16" instead of the usual 9.
Example: Making a Local Call to the Charlottesville Area
- To include Caller ID: Dial 9 + 7 digit number
Called party sees your number and UNIV OF VA - To omit Caller ID: Dial 16 + 7 digit number
Called party sees UNIDENTIFIED or OUT OF AREA
Cautions
Limitations of the University's telephone system do not allow Caller
ID to be offered in some locations, including Child Care, Boar's Head,
and Albemarle Hotel.
Incoming Caller ID is available to most users at most University locations. Service may not be available where users have chosen to retain an existing telephone number when moving to a new location. Incoming Caller ID is not available on analog lines, which are often used for modems or fax machines. Incoming Caller ID will show a calling number for local and long distance calls, unless the number is blocked by the caller, or is otherwise unavailable.
These Caller ID changes do not affect a few telephone customers, primarily off-Grounds, who receive service via Centrex service from Sprint.
SIMON Paging System
The SIMON Paging System is described in detail in a separate section of this website. Please see
http://wwwtest.itc.virginia.edu/commserv/paging/home.html
Configuring an Analog Adaptor
Analog adaptors must be programmed to work on the University's telephone system.
Analog Adapter Option (AAO) Initial Setup: Your AAO contains factory-defined information that tells it where to find certain keys on your ROLMphone telephone. If your phone's feature and line keys do not match this configuration, then you must program the AAO. You can check the current configuration of your AAO, assign new keys, delete keys from the configuration, and return the AAO to the factory-defined configuration.
When you install the AAO, it considers your phone's lower left-hand key (beside the dial pad) to be a voice key, and it chooses a Flash or Transfer key. If your phone's actual Flash or Transfer key is not in the position assigned by the AAO's factory-defined configuration or if you want a modem (data) key, you must program the AAO using one of the following procedures.
Notes:
- Lines programmed to voice or modem key(s) must correspond to telephone system-defined line keys. The programmed flash or transfer key should correspond to your phone's Flash or Transfer key. You cannot use keys on a Keyboard Expansion Option.
- A programmed modem key cannot be used for voice calls. The line becomes a dedicated AAO modem line.
- If you need to make a voice call while your modem line is active, then you should disconnect the call and in some cases turn off the modem.
- Before programming your AAO, verify that your ROLMphone telephone is on-hook, and that any attached devices are not in use.
- When programming the AAO, you may see a message on your RP600 phone's display, such as "not possible." Ignore the message and continue.
To check the current configuration:
- Press * # to initiate a programming sequence.
- Enter one of the following codes:
AAOIF (22643) Indicate Flash/Transfer key
AAOIV (22648) Indicate Voice key(s)
AAOIM (22646) Indicate Modem (data) key
The assigned key's status light flashes. - Press * # to end the sequence.
To set up keys to be recognized by the AAO:
- Press * # to initiate a programming sequence.
-
Enter one of the following codes:
AAOF (2263) assign Flash/Transfer key
AAOV (2268) assign Voice line key(s)
AAOM (2266) assign Modem line key - Press the key(s) that you wish to assign. You can press up to four line keys for voice applications, one line key for modem applications, or one Flash/Transfer feature key.
- Press * # to end the sequence.
You hear a beep when your programming is successful.
To delete keys from the AAO's configuration:
- Press * # to initiate a programming sequence.
-
Enter one of the following codes, without pressing a line key or
feature key:
AAOF (2263) delete Flash/Transfer key
AAOV (2268) delete all Voice key(s)
AAOM (2266) delete Modem (data) key - Press * # to end the sequence.
To return to the factory-defined configuration:
- Press * # to initiate a programming sequence.
- Enter AAOR (2267) to Reset the AAO.
- Press * # to end the sequence.
Pay Telephones
There are two types of pay telephones available for installation on the University Grounds. Both types of pay stations may be ordered by submitting a Telephone Service Request (form CC37) to ITC Communication Services, Carruthers Hall.
A full public pay station may be installed. With this type of telephone Sprint bears all costs for installation, operation, and maintenance of the phone. Customers using the telephone must still either deposit coins, use their calling cards, or request operator assistance with placing the calls. In order for Sprint to agree to install a full public pay station, the location where the instrument is to be placed must be accessible by the public 24 hours per day, seven days per week. In addition, the customer must guarantee that at least $70/month in local calls will be made from that phone.
A semi-public pay station may be installed in locations where the instrument is not accessible around-the-clock and/or the minimum monthly local revenues cannot be provided. With this type of telephone, the requestor will pay both installation costs and a monthly rental fee. In addition, customers using the phone will still be required to deposit coins, use their calling cards, or request operator assistance for placing calls.