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Changes to the U of A’s telecommunications approaches will be coming into effect. Learn more about what prompted the changes, who might be impacted and how we can help.

As part of our ongoing efforts to streamline telecommunications, improve service efficiency and reduce costs, the university is moving away from standard desk phones and university-issued cellular phones and toward softphones and the Google Suite of products. For faculty and staff with a demonstrable requirement for mobile communications as part of their role, the university is transitioning to a “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) program. Everyone directly affected will be supported throughout the process with resources and guidance to ensure the smoothest transition possible.

A consistent, university-wide process will be implemented for requesting, considering and supporting decisions related to:

• softphones (installed on computers or personal devices)
• desk phones (where required)
• mobile communications (cellular devices)

As these changes will only impact those who have a dedicated desk phone assigned to them and/or those who have been provided with a university-owned cellular device, the majority of university faculty and staff will not be impacted by these changes.

This change will allow units to operate more efficiently and focus resources on higher-priority needs.