Voice Over IP (VOIP)
Voice over IP (VoIP) Telephony Services is a new service offering presented by CNS Telecommunications that takes advantage of the convergence of voice and data networks. The VoIP service is part of the “service-to-wallplate” model that is offered by CNS Network Services and is designed to ultimately provide an enterprise communications solution for the University of Florida.
What is VoIP Telephony?
Voice-over-IP (VoIP) represents a new method of providing telephone service. Historically, telephone systems have used dedicated equipment to provide only telephone service. The equipment includes telephone switches, circuits to connect the switches, telephone sets, and so forth. Rather than using dedicated equipment, IP Telephony will use much of the same infrastructure as a data network. It will achieve this by converting sound into small packets of data and transporting them via the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) between telephone sets.
When will VoIP service be available on campus?
Now --- as part of the “services-to-wallplate” model, VoIP service is currently available. Current projects that have deployed VoIP service include the Rinker School of Building Construction, Gerson Hall (Fisher School of Accounting), Constans Theatre, Stuzin Hall, Operations Analysis (Tigert), Marston Science and all Library facilities have migrated to VoIP service.
Currently, major VoIP deployments are following the Wall-plate project schedule. Your department will have the opportunity to convert to VoIP when your building is offered the Wall-plate service. VoIP installations under the Wall-plate project are being offered at reduced rates. Technician installation fees under Wall-plate pricing are $10/handset and most common handset models are being offered at a 50% discount (see VoIP pricing sheet for more details). For current information on the Wall-Plate project, please visit the Wall-Plate website.
HealthNet, a unit within the Health Science Center, provides VoIP services for all Health Science Center Departments such as Health, Pharmacy and Nursing Professionals (HPNP), Orthopedics Sports Medicine facility.