Basic Telephone Service
Centrex Lines:
The state has a very cost effective contract for telephone service which is known as "Centrex". Centrex allows all state callers in the same locality to call other state offices in that locality by dialing only the last four digits of the telephone number. These calls are free and save the cost of local message units. Telecommunications can request that voice mail be provided on any state Centrex line.
Last year, we entered into a contract with Level 3 Communications to provide telephone and voice mail services to the State of Vermont and we began a planning process to migrate the existing SOV accounts from Verizon (now Fairpoint) to Level 3. Since that time there have been a number of changes that have raised the level of risk associated with making this transition. Based on the increase in risk associated with this migration, we have decided to terminate the contract with Level 3 Communications, effective June 30, 2008.
Fairpoint Communications, which took over from Verizon earlier this year, has agreed to extend the contract they acquired from Verizon until the end of August, 2009. We will go back out to bid for telephone and voice mail services in January 2009.
This decision has no effect on existing contracts with any provider for data circuits. Level 3 Communications continues to be one of the primary providers in the data arena for the State of Vermont.
If you have any questions, please address them to Deputy Commissioner David Tucker, david.tucker@state.vt.us or Telecommunications Manager Ruthann Sullivan, ruthann.sullivan@state.vt.us.
Analog phones:
This type of phone is the most common standard-issue for most state employees answering a single line at their desk. There are also analog phones capable of answering two, three and four lines if circumstances require this capability.
ISDN phones:
These are commonly used at high volume attendant or receptionist positions where multiple line appearances are required. User guides for some of the ISDN phones the state uses are listed below.
