Cellular
Telephone Services
University of Iowa users are free to
choose plans from the vendor of their choice, but should take care to find plans
that are best for them. Choosing the right cellular telephone and service plan
is generally confusing. There are many carriers, the plans offered change
rapidly and there are enough nuances of the services that figuring which one
fits best is challenging.
Assessment of Local Vendors
Telecommunication and Network
Services has evaluated many local vendors and offers the following assessment:
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At the current
time, no single local vendor meets all the diverse needs on
our campus.
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In general a few vendors are very
good in many areas, but individual
circumstances will determine which is best for any particular set of circumstances.
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We believe price is important, but
coverage and features can be even more so. If your phone does not work
where, when and how you need it, it is of little value.
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Understanding how the phone will
be used is the most important factor in finding the best vendor and service
plan so taking the time to think about this and analyze the options is
worthwhile.
Wireless Handheld Devices: PDAs - Personal
Digital Assistants and Smart Phones
For information about wireless PDAs and Smart Phones
for e-mail, calendar and data use, please link to the
ITS
Campus Services Support pages.
DISCOUNTS: Please note that each vendor offers discounts to the University
for business use and most offer some discounts to students and employees for
personal use. Since these discounts change frequently, we do not attempt to keep
them up to date on this web page. However, you should be sure to ask about and
receive the discounts when you evaluate or purchase new services.
For the vendors who have created
custom web sites for the University, the links have been added below.
Other vendors products may be purchased at multiple retail locations or through
their regular web sites.
[NOTE TO VENDORS: If you have a custom
page that you would like linked to, please contact TNS as indicted below.]
Vendor Highlights
i wireless
- MegaTalk Plans (unlimited local calling plans)
- Nationwide Plans
- Nights start at 5pm
- Unlimited Data Plans for $19.95/month
- U of I employees, faculty members receive no activation fees on new lines
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Corporate/Higher Education contact is
Jayme Loesche, Business Development Coordinator, 319.390.7221 or
jayme.loesche@iwireless.com
Nextel
Sprint
- Phone selection and phone features are excellent
- National carrier
- No roaming charges while on Sprint PCS national network
- Advanced features available via PCS Visionsm
program
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Corporate/Higher Education
local representative is
Sprint’s location at 119 2nd
Street, Suite 600/Coralville (319-354-7656),
or nationally; Sprint PCS;
800-480-4727.
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Reference the following
information for U of I discount:
UI Root Node Number is
0540951158
US Cellular
- Excellent campus and local coverage
- Excellent statewide coverage
- Good selection of easy to understand, good valued plans; local,
regional, national
- Custom plans for UI
- Low usage plan that bills low monthly amount plus per minute charges
- Add-on plan for Unlimited Nationwide Calling from campus area
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Corporate/Higher Education contact is
Jeff Delong
319/721-6640;
jeff.delong@uscellular.com
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UI Employee Discounts
available at Coralville retail location
(905 25th Ave in the
Coral Valley Market shopping area) 319/341-6050. One month free service plus
free activation good on new and renewal plans.
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U.S.
Cellular U of I Web Site
Verizon
Cingular/AT&T
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Good campus coverage.
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Good phone selection and features.
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National carrier
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Local, Regional, and National Plans.
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Corporate/Higher
Education local contact is Cingular-Coral Ridge Store; 319-338-7808; or
Cingular National at 866-246-4852; http://www.att.com/universities
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Corporate/Higher Education
contact is
Dan W. Lang
402-203-1227 or
dan.lang@att.com
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Reference the following
account number for U of I discount:
UI FAN Account Number
100404
For more information or consultation concerning cellular services, please
contact the Telecommunication and Network Services
at Cellular Services.
