For Your Information:

Please note: The following information is provided only as a reference.  Wireless phone service is purchased and maintained by the individual departments of State government in a business relationship with commercial wireless phone vendors and not through DII Telecommunications.  Please contact the vendor directly with service requests or questions relating to the evaulation or tuning of calling plans.

• Verizon Wireless  Sandy Hommel @ 802-318-7671                                              Contract #14825  
• Sprint/Nextel Contact person is Steve Graves @ 802-316-6922                            BGS Contract Pending
• ATT   Contact person is Karen Vaccaro @ 401-683-8243                                    BGS Contract Pending
• Unicel Support is through Key Accounts @ 207-974-3320 until the ATT Transition is complete

BlackBerry vs Mobile 6.x reccomendation: 

In February, 2008, a decision to freeze the addition of new users to the Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES) managed by DII was announced. That decision was based on the fact that there were additional costs associated with hosting a BES server as well as the broader availability of other smart phone device options that utilize Windows Mobile 6.x. Recent marketing efforts by Verizon Wireless caused us to take another look at that decision.

While we still recommend the use of Mobile 6.x devices, we have worked out a new support arrangement with Verizon Wireless that makes the ongoing support of the BES cost neutral. Therefore, we are reversing our February 2008 decision provided certain steps are taken as outlined below.

• If employees that utilize the Exchange 2007 system for Email that DII manages want to acquire Blackberry devices and have those devices tied to the BES server here at DII, we will be requiring that individual user access licenses be transferred to DII so that we can continue to operate the BES server in accordance with the licensing provisions of that service. Each user must have a license.
• DII will NOT purchase user licenses for individuals who wish to acquire a Blackberry device, nor will we run this service with unlicensed users.
• The support staff here at DII will require the transfer of the license prior to setting up any new BES account. In some cases, the wireless carriers may provide the individual licenses free of charge, or they may charge for those licenses, but in any event, we need to “own” those licenses so as long as we are able to obtain them at no cost to DII, we will add new users to the BES server.
• Telecommunications devices that are capable of data storage are also governed by the Data Protection Policy and the Digital Media and Hardware Disposal Policy.

Hands-Free:

An important safety feature that's included with most of today's wireless phones. It permits drivers to minimize distraction while driving by using the phone without lifting or holding the handset to their ear. It is the policy of the State of Vermont that State employees will use only hands-free enabled phones in State fleet vehicles and privately-owned vehicles used in the performance of State business.

Wireless Phone Safety:

The following is the wireless phone safety policy as issued by the Secretary of Administration, effective November 1, 2000:

• PURPOSE: It is acknowledged that the use of wireless telephones while driving can significantly increase the risk of accidents. The purpose of this policy is to promote safety in the use of wireless phones in state vehicles and privately owned vehicles used in the performance of state business.
   
• GUIDELINES:
  1. Always give your full attention to your driving.
  2. The use of a wireless phone while operating a vehicle is prohibited unless the phone is properly equipped with an appropriate hands-free device.
  3. Always suspend conversation during hazardous driving conditions.
  4. Do not take notes or look up phone numbers while driving.
  5. Dial calls sensibly when you are not moving or before you pull into traffic. Use speed-dial buttons whenever possible.
  6. Do not engage in stressful or emotional conversations while driving.