|
Starting in 2003, Dartmouth began converting its phone services to the "voice over Internet protocol" (VoIP). The new system converges the College’s telephone and computer—and, eventually, video—networks into one. For users, this translates to more services, expanded mobility, and increased flexibility.
Much of the change is nearly invisible to users. The new phones resemble current models and their operation and basic features stay the same. The 646 exchange hasn't changed. However, the new phones plug into Ethernet jacks instead of phone jacks or electrical power, and the system provides better protection against power outages, so users will experience enhanced performance.
VoIP is also less expensive for the College to operate and upgrade. Dartmouth purchased its current phone system, called a Private Branch Exchange (PBX), from AT&T in 1988 and upgraded to Ericsson 10 years ago. While state-of-the-art for its time, the PBX infrastructure became increasingly expensive to maintain and offers relatively limited features. The new system, by contrast, boasts a range of benefits for users, including an on-screen directory; voice mail improvements, such as a “message-waiting” indicator; and the capability to use a laptop computer over the campus wireless network as a telephone.
|
