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If you've got a computer, you will have a high-quality telephone device,
according the Computing Services technicians who are busy rolling out new
mobile voice software.
The software allows any computer to place and receive telephone calls.
Wireless or wired, all you need is a headset or handset (available at Computer
Sales and Service in 171 Carson Hall), some free software from Telephone
Services, and an assigned phone number in order to talk on the phone to anyone,
anytime. And the assigned phone number will stay with a student during their
entire time at Dartmouth.
There's no phone bill at the end of the month. Coming options include
services such as voice mail.
"This software frees you from thinking a phone is a physical
device," said Larry Levine, director of computing. "Your phone could
be your laptop computer, your handheld computer, or any other wireless device.
Softphones are less expensive than cell phones, and there's no charge for long
distance."
The rollout of "softphones" is the first of a new generation of
communications technologies made possible by an upgrade of the campus data
networks this past winter and spring. Once separate, the data and telephone
networks are now being merged in a way that provides new, innovative services
to the Dartmouth community.
"I don't think anyone anywhere has done this before on such a large
scale," said Bob Johnson, director of telecommunications, "so we're
not sure how often the software will be used yet. This is part of our
initiative to add to our menu of options for voice communications in our
community."
Johnson said the technology will be rolled out during the fall term, as
engineers study the impact on the network as more and more converged traffic
begins to cross the wires. There are currently no plans to phase out
traditional telephone lines.
The experiment will proceed as Telephone Services rolls out the new software
in blocks of 200 units — in other words, to 200 people at a time. Additional
blocks will be made available later in October, as engineers study the effect
of the new services on the network. For information on how to sign up, contact
Telephone Services.
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