Telecommunication Procedure

Telecommunications is a very broad term for a method of communication between objects. Communication may be person to person, person to machine, or machine to machine and encompasses all products and services that allow the communication to happen. Each method of telecommunication has strict requirements (e.g. FCC licensing), approvals (e.g.Communications Network Services (CNS) and reports). These requirements have made it necessary to review all telecommunications purchases. The Hokiemart workflow electronically carries requisitions for telecommunications items to CNS for review. All cellular phones and services must be processed through CNS and should not be sent to Purchasing. Departments should not use the P-Card for telecommunication purchases.

The telecommunications buyer is Roger Gupta. He is available to assist you in meeting all of these requirements. His phone number is 231-4177, e-mail ragupta@vt.edu.

Following is a list of major telecommunication areas and the requirements for purchase.

1. Telephone Installations, Equipment and Services:
   1. The purchase of telephone installations, equipment, and service must be coordinated with Bill Blevins, Communications Account Manager, at CNS, mail code 0506, prior to submitting a requisition through Hokiemart. Mr. Blevins can be contacted by phone at 231-4995 or at blevins@vt.edu for specification information
   2. For information on obtaining telephone, data network or cable television services on campus, visit the CNS web site at http://www.cns.vt.edu.
2. Cellular Phones:

   For information on obtaining cellular phones and services for both domestic and international use, please go to this CNS web site http://www.cns.vt.edu/html/wireless/cellular/index.html.

3. Two-Way Radios (Fixed, Mobile and Hand-held):

   There is a state contract available for two-way radios. Prior approval is required from the Department of Information Technology (DIT) for radio products which require Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licensing. Transmitting and receiving frequencies must be included in the specifications and a copy of the current FCC license must be attached to the Hokiemart Requisition.

4. For information on Pagers, Beepers and Animal Tracking Systems, contract Roger Gupta at 231-4177, e-mail ragupta@vt.edu.

5. For information on Facsimile Equipment, contact Benny Snuffer at 231-5557, e-mail bsnuffer@vt.edu.