Technology Update

April 28, 2008

Long distance rates to be reduced as SUVON discontinued

Long distance rates for domestic long distance and calling card calls will be reduced to $.055 per minute, effective June 1, 2008, for the West Lafayette campus due to an anticipated increase in call volume. This is a reduction of more than 20 percent from the previous rate of $.07 per minute.

Purdue University CIO Gerry McCartney 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 has immediate beneficial impact on all our long distance users."

The Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication Systems (IHETS) decided to discontinue the State Universities Voice Network (SUVON) service. After May 29, Purdue faculty and staff at all campuses will start dialing long-distance calls the same way, even when dialing other Indiana colleges and universities. SUVON is a private voice network connecting Indiana’s institutions. It was created to encourage educational and business collaboration between faculty and staff members. Purdue users know the SUVON access code of 8 + 1 + the number.

Long-distance calls previously dialed using SUVON will be handled as all other domestic long distance calls. They 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 after May 29 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.