Celluar Service

University of Iowa Mobile Device Policy

University of Iowa has implemented a policy effective January 1st, 2008 for Faculty and Staff. The Full Policy is available in the University Operations Manual in Section 11.23 Technology Allowance Policy. Additional information is available from Purchasing: Announcement , Questions(pdf), Request Form(pdf), Verizon Announcement.

Cellular Telephone Services

University of Iowa users are free to choose plans from the vendor of their choice, but should take care to find plans that are best for them. Choosing the right cellular telephone and service plan is generally confusing. There are many carriers, the plans offered change rapidly and there are enough nuances of the services that figuring which one fits best is challenging.

Assessment of Local Vendors

Telecommunication and Network Services has evaluated many local vendors and offers the following assessment:

  • At the current time, no single local vendor meets all the diverse needs on our campus.
  • In general a few vendors are very good in many areas, but individual circumstances will determine which is best for any particular set of circumstances.
  • We believe price is important, but coverage and features can be even more so. If your phone does not work where, when and how you need it, it is of little value.
  • Understanding how the phone will be used is the most important factor in finding the best vendor and service plan so taking the time to think about this and analyze the options is worthwhile.

Wireless Handheld Devices: PDAs - Personal Digital Assistants and Smart Phones

For information about wireless PDAs and Smart Phones for e-mail, calendar and data use, please go to the ITS Campus Technology Services Support pages.

DISCOUNTS: Please note that each vendor offers discounts to the University for business use and most offer some discounts to students and employees for personal use. Since these discounts change frequently, we do not attempt to keep them up to date on this web page. However, you should be sure to ask about and receive the discounts when you evaluate or purchase new services.

For the vendors who have created custom web sites for the University, the links have been added below. Other vendors products may be purchased at multiple retail locations or through their regular web sites.

[NOTE TO VENDORS: If you have a custom page that you would like linked to, please contact TNS as indicted below.]

Vendor Highlights

i Wireless

  • MegaTalk Plans (unlimited local calling plans)
  • Nationwide Plans
  • Nights start at 5pm
  • Unlimited Data Plans for $19.95/month
  • U of I employees, faculty members receive no activation fees on new lines
  • Corporate/Higher Education contact is: Jayme Loesche, Business Development Coordinator, 319.390.7221 or jayme.loesche@iwireless.com

Sprint/Nextel

  • Wide selection of phones with many features like internet, GPS, and Direct Connect
  • Individual and Family plans with monthly 15% discount
  • Nights and weekends from 7pm-7am
  • Unlimited calls to Sprint/Nextel devices and no roaming
  • Discounted accessories through the Employee Value Program
  • Excellent local and national coverage
  • For more information, please visit www.evpdiscount.com/UOI
  • Or call the EVP at 1-888-457-6294 or email at andrew.haucke@evpdiscount.com

US Cellular

  • Excellent campus and local coverage
  • Excellent statewide coverage
  • Good selection of easy to understand, good valued plans; local, regional, national
  • Custom plans for UI
  • Low usage plan that bills low monthly amount plus per minute charges
  • Add-on plan for Unlimited Nationwide Calling from campus area
  • Corporate/Higher Education contact is Rodney Neely; Rodney.Neely@uscellular.com
  • UI Employee Discounts available at Coralville retail location (905 25th Ave in the Coral Valley Market shopping area) 319/341-6050. One month free service plus free activation good on new and renewal plans.
  • BAN Group Code for Disconut: M4UIW Please call: (800)819-9373
  • U.S. Cellular U of I Web Site information (pdf)

Verizon

  • National carrier
  • Good variety of phones offered and good phone upgrade plan
  • Good variety of plans offered
  • Corporate/Higher Education contact is Amy Ann Pearson; 515-371-3710; AmyAnn.pearson@verizonwireless.com
  • Local Contact: 1815 2nd Street,Coralville, IA 52241; 319-351-1277

AT&T

  • Good campus coverage.
  • Good phone selection and features.
  • National carrier. National Plans.
  • Corporate/Higher Education local contact is AT&T-Coral Ridge Store; 319-338-7808;
  • Marsi Pedelty - Regional Manager, Higher Education-Iowa & Nebraska AT&T Mobility; 319-210-4061; marsia.pedelty@att.com
  • For students: http://www.att.com/wireless/studenthawkeyes. Reference the following account number for U of I discount: UI FAN Account Number 2696262
  • For faculty and staff. http://www.att.com/wireless/univofiowa. Reference the following account number for U of I discount: UI FAN Account Number 100404

For more information or consultation concerning cellular services, please contact the Telecommunication and Network Services at Cellular Services.