Media & Technology Services (MTS), a department of ITS, is migrating the University to a new telephone system. The new system uses Voice over Internet Protocol (shortened to Voice over IP or VoIP), which uses the same technology that provides high-speed network connectivity to desktop computers. It will substantially decrease the University's telephone expenses and provide the foundation on which we will build future enhanced and integrated communication services. For example, a VoIP phone user may move his/her phone without any technical intervention, thereby eliminating the need for ITS telephone technical assistance or associated charges for departmental moves or seating changes.

The VoIP system has been tested and successfully used by thousands of staff and students on the Kingston campus. This month, installation will begin of approximately 2500 more phones - building by building - on the Kingston, Feinstein Providence and Narragansett Bay campuses.

An ITS staff member will notify department heads a few weeks before your building is scheduled to transition to the new system, and the project coordinator will contact you to discuss the process and transition schedule. Although disruption to your phone service will be minimal during the transition, please inform the project coordinator if our intended schedule would cause a significant business disruption. Every effort would then be made to reschedule you to a more convenient time.

The majority of feedback has been very positive from VoIP phone users especially regarding audio quality and the productivity gained by use of the expanded features. It is my hope that you, too, will be pleased and I appreciate your patience and time while we upgrade to the new phone system.

To help with transition, quick reference guides will be included with your new phone. You can also view and operate the VoIP phone models on display at the Help Desk area in the lower level of the Robert L. Carothers Library and Learning Commons. Further details and complete owner manuals are available on our Website: www.uri.edu/its/voip.

Thank you.