April 28, 2008
Long distance rates to be lowered as SUVON discontinued
Long distance rates for domestic long distance and calling card calls will be reduced to $0.055 per minute, effective June 1, due to an anticipated increase in call volume after discontinuance of the SUVON calling service.
The long distance rate reduction, which is for the West Lafayette campus, is more than 20 percent off the previous rate of $0.07 per minute.
Gerry McCartney, Purdue CIO, says, "ITaP continues to work on modifying our phone and data charges to be more in-line with the external market. As a result of the SUVON discontinuation, we are happy to be able to pass on a significant rate reduction which will have immediate beneficial effect on all our long distance users."
The Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication Systems (IHETS) decided to discontinue the State Universities Voice Network (SUVON) service.
SUVON has been a private voice network connecting Indiana's institutions. It was created to encourage educational and business collaboration between faculty and staff members. Purdue users of SUVON dialed the access code of 8 + 1 + the number.
Beginning May 29, Purdue faculty and staff at all campuses will need to dial all long-distance calls the same way, even when dialing other Indiana colleges and universities. All long distance calls will require an authorization/MERS code for billing. Purdue callers will dial 7 + 1 + the number + authorization code.
Users who inadvertently dial the old SUVON access code will hear a recorded message with instructions on using an authorization/MERS code.
Any questions about dialing long distance may be directed to ITaP Telecommunications at 49-44716. To understand the effect on your department, see your business manager.