March 16, 2006
To:
UCOP Community
From: Michael Shannon, Manager, IR&C Communication Services
A number of changes recently have taken place among the cellular
phone carriers that offer corporate and employee discounts to UCOP
employees. These discounts are offered as part of the State of California
alliance. Below please find a summary of these changes.
As you may know, cellular phone ordering and billing for employees
are handled directly by UCOP departments. However, Communication
Services continues to assist new or existing cellular phone users
with cell phone selection, service, and accessories.
Cingular Wireless
Discounts afforded to UCOP employees have been increased from 15%-25%
on monthly voice and data plans for corporate accounts; equipment
discounts are also available. Discounts are offered at a lower rate
for employee plans. Questions regarding corporate and employee rates
should be directed to Cingular Major Account executive, Jim Tennant,
at (925) 413-8168 or jim.tennant@cingular.com.
SprintNextel Communications
Sprint completed its merger with Nextel in August 2005 and is now
SprintNextel. SprintNextel is currently working to create phones
that will capitalize on each of the formerly separate companies’
strengths: Sprint’s market brand and EV-DO (Evolution Data
Only) speeds; and Nextel’s push to talk technology. SprintNextel
offers corporate discounts of 18%-25% depending on the carrier.
A 40% equipment discount is available through Nextel, and a $150
equipment discount applies for new activations through Sprint. Employee
discounts are available at lower rates.
Sprint recently launched the EV-DO service which allows for broadband
Internet access from virtually anywhere on the Sprint network. Sprint
is currently offering the EV-DO card free along with a 30 day risk-free
trial period for anyone interested and data plans are available
at discounted rates. Questions should be directed to new SprintNextel
Communications Account Executive, Michael Hurst, at (408) 690-3153
or michael.hurst@sprint.com.
Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless was recently awarded the primary provider
of Voice and Data service and secondary provider for Push to Talk
(Nextel is the primary provider) as part of the California Wireless
Contract (CWC) for the State of California. UCOP employees can take
advantage of local and national rate plans created exclusively for
the CWC. Verizon offers a special Local Zero Access Plan with no
monthly access cost at $.065 per minute within California. America’s
Choice Calling Plans and special National Access and Blackberry &
PDA/Smartphone Plans are available based on exclusive CWC rates.
Questions should be directed to Verizon Wireless Major Account Manager,
Gerald Marquez, at (925) 989-5400 or gerald.marquez@verizonwireless.com.
For information about employee plans and discounts, contact Raman
Benjamin at (510) 882-1200 or raman.benjamin@verizonwireless.com.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile offers government discounts to UCOP employees on corporate
and employee plans. The Blackberry 7290 is currently being offered
for $99.00 (with the voice and data plan). Unlimited data is available
for $29.99 per month and activation and shipping fees are waived
on all orders. Questions should be directed to T-Mobile Account
Executive, Kirby Baltes, at 1-800-376-7962, (714) 553-3332, or kirby.baltes@t-mobile.com.
If you have additional questions about any of the carriers listed
above or UCOP corporate and employee rates, contact Kimyatta Dorsey
at (510) 987-0709 or kim.dorsey@ucop.edu. You may also visit Communication
Services online at http://www.ucop.edu/irc/commserv.html.
