Instead of a regular phone ring, an incoming call may now be indicated by a mechanical a voice asking, "are you there? Are you there?" This is because new ring-tones are just one of many new futures of the new telephone system installed at the University over the summer. This facetious questioning is one of many phone ring options and one of myriad other features on the new Cisco 7912 Internet Protocol (IP) phones that students and faculty have received through the University's upgraded network and phone system. The phones, unlike any phone Brandeis students could bring to school during any prior school year, operate through the Ethernet jack mainly used to connect a computer to the Internet.

With the new IP system, the computer Ethernet cable connects instead to the phones, which have been provided by Cisco and Verizon, the implementation partners for the new telephone system. Every student and faculty member has received identical phones upon arrival on campus.

This new telephone system is viewed as advantageous to the University and has eliminated some problems inherent in the former system, according to Information and Technology (ITS) Chief Information Officer Perry Hanson III.

"Most of the people that I've seen personally have been staff (and they) really like the new phone system. We had eight, nine or 10 different types of phones on campus. Now (we have) 5,000 of the same kind," Hanson said.

Outside of the purchase of new phones, the larger network upgrade consisted of the installation of new regional switches and an all fiber-optic system. These advances were necessary to bring the former 18-year-old copper wiring system supported by Nortel up-to-date. Hanson said that Brandeis spent "under $4 million, as promised" for these new technological developments. The project was funded through capital lease.

Every phone comes with a number of unique features in addition to the various phone ring options, according to ITS. These features include caller ID, call hold, call waiting, transfer, message light indicator and speakerphone. At some time during the year, students will be able to access the Brandeis telephone directory through the phone. In addition, the phone desktop is customizable, and ITS and Brandeis faculty will soon be able to send messages to all students' phones over the course of the year.

Most students say they are pleased with the phones and the numerous features it has to offer thus far.

"The new phones are great," Jeremy Scerra '05 said. "There are so many useful functions (such as) having a speaker."

William Bulmer '04 agreed, "There are so many great features ... just little things like depicting the time on the screen."

Newcomers to Brandeis too were impressed with the phones and their ease of usage. Yana Aronova '07 said, "It's easy for a boggled freshman mind," and said she appreciated "the fact that everyone has their own phone."

Serena Gover '07 also said that she liked that "students get to keep (the phone) for all four years.

Bulmer added that the new system creates added convenience in performing such activities as checking voicemail. The former system mandated a more involved process of dialing a special phone number to reach the voice mailbox. The new system requires on the touch of a button to access one's mailbox to receive a new message.

Although the voice messaging system from last year has been replaced, Pac Tec Communications Long Distance Rates is maintaining long distance service. Currently, students can still check their old voicemail through Meridian mail if they find a phone or plug connected to the old system.

The new system, however, is not without its flaws. Hanson said that the question of cordless phones raised before the start of the project continues to be an issue. Currently, the system does not accommodate cordless telephones. "Eventually student generations after you will have cordless (telephones)," Hanson said, "but not in the short run."

The cordless issue was raised initially last spring by the Student Information Technology Advisory Committee (SITAC), which was consulted by ITS in the decision-making process, and has not gone unnoticed by students currently either.

"It bothers me because you can't walk around your room," Gober said, referring to the cordless issue.

Although the phone will require a cord, Hanson did mention that Brandeis will be introducing wireless internet access through Cisco this fall in addition to the substantial technological developments already made, including increasing the network bandwidth dramatically.

In reference to privacy, the new phone system will not differ from any former system utilized by the University. Hanson said, "Just about any phone system there is can track any call made, (but) no one would ever look at your call. These are definitely confidential records. We are going to protect the privacy of people on campus.