Telecom Services

MSU IT Telecom Services connects students, faculty, and staff with communication technologies and services.

Services include consultation, analysis, cable TV, telephone, voicemail, two-way radio, fiber optic Internet, wire management and many other services.

Learn about the services available to the MSU community.

Voice Services

MSU provides consultation, design, and implementation of voice services to assist you and your specific requirements.

Telephone

MSU provides telephone services and need-specific telephone systems throughout campus.

Learn more or request telephone services: Avaya Campus PBX.

Voicemail

MSU hosts a campus voicemail solution that offers unified communications features such as email notifications of voice messages, time of day greetings, and more.

Learn more or request voicemail services: Avaya Campus PBX.

EC-500 and Remote Call Forwarding

EC-500 is a feature that allows a user to merge the functions of their desk phone with a cell phone. When a call rings their campus phone number, the call will also ring their cell phone at the same time. When the user places a call anywhere on campus, it will mask their cell phone number, instead showing their desk phone number. The feature can easily be turned on and off by the user, allowing them to control when calls are sent to their cell phone.

EC-500 requires nothing no software to be installed and is compatible with all makes and models of cell phones. There is no additional charge for Avaya Campus PBX users.

When the feature is enabled, users will need to check both their desk phone voicemail as well as their cellular phone voicemail, as there are scenarios where voicemails might end up in either one (depending on the timing and configuration of your provider’s voicemail).

Requesting EC-500 Service

EC-500 can be requested via the IT Service Desk by calling (517) 432-6200 or by submitting a CA ticket on the Self-Service Portal (Request a Service, Telecom Category, Telephone, Update a Phone).

Call Forwarding

Call Forwarding is another feature that forwards all calls from your office phone to the number of your choosing, including a cell phone or home phone line. The feature must be turned on and off by dialing numbers on your office phone. To activate, dial “*2” on your phone, followed by the number you want to forward to (off campus numbers need to dial an 8 before the number). When active, you should get a confirmation beep. To disable, dial “#2” from your desk phone.

More Information

You can download our user guide here: https://go.msu.edu/avayaguide

Unified Messaging

Unified Messaging is a feature of the Avaya voicemail system that allows users to receive copies of voicemails left on their work phone in their MSU email account. This allows the user to know that a message was left for them and allows them to listen to it over their computer remotely. Users can also use the Web Access function to listen to their voicemails through a web browser.

Unified Messaging requires no software to be installed, but the user will need an application that can play “PCM-U” encoded WAV files (Windows Media Player should be able to do this by default). There is no additional cost for this feature.

Avaya Aura Messaging Unified Messaging Options include:

Web-based access to messages (via Internet Explorer only) – Users can access voicemails via a web browser and listen to messages with computer speakers or have the voicemail system call them: http://www.telecom.msu.edu/vm

Notify Me: A customizable version of Unified Messaging that allows users to determine how to be notified of messages in their mailbox, including email and SMS notifications. A copy of the message can be included with the notification via email.

Reach Me: A feature that forwards calls to a phone on a schedule that the users define. It also allows users to define a list of numbers that they want called and if they want to screen calls before they accept them.

Manage Your Greetings: play and re-record your greetings from your computer. Manage your out-of-office greeting without having to re-record your primary greeting.

Requesting Unified Messaging

You can submit a service request to get access to the Unified Messaging or Voicemail Web Access portal by going to the IT Service Desk Self Service Portal (Request a service, Telecom Category, Telephone, Update a phone).

Users can also go to the Telecom Self-Service Portal and click on the Voicemail tab to upgrade their account to allow access.

More Information

You can download our user guide here: https://go.msu.edu/avayaguide

Softphone Applications

Softphone Applications are applications available for Windows, MacOSX, Android or Apple iOS devices that allow you to interact with your telephone remotely. You can use the Avaya IX Workspace application to log into your phone, place and receive calls, and manage features of your desk phone remotely. When the user logs out of Softphone, calls will no longer flow to their remote device.

Softphone applications such as Avaya IX Workspace allow features such as conference calling, transferring calls, placing calls on hold and seeing the phone status of other users.

There is no additional cost to sign up or use the Softphone Applications for Campus PBX Users. Contact and Call Center users will need to submit a service request for their users to be setup for Softphone access. All users should have a USB or Bluetooth Headset that is compatible with their device.

You can download the Windows or MacOSX applications from the Telecom Self Service Portal. Download the Avaya IX Workplace app from your app store if you are planning on using the service with your smartphone.

Requesting Softphone Application Access

You can submit a service request to get access to the Softphone applications by going to the IT Service Desk Self Service Portal (Request a service, Telecom Category, Telephone, Update a phone). Users can also request access by going to the Telecom Self-Service Portal and selecting the Softphone menu item.

More Information

You can download our user guide here: https://go.msu.edu/avayaguide

Cable TV

MSU’s campus cable television network serves university-owned department buildings, residence halls, and university apartments.

MSU’s all-digital network features three levels of service:

  • Instructional Television (ITV): local channels, instructional channels and other free-to-air channels.
  • Entertainment Television (ETV): popular entertainment channels. This service is included with residence hall and university apartment room and board rates.
  • Comcast additional services: pay services including HBO and Showtime. A DVR recorder is also available.

Cable TV for Students: https://go.msu.edu/CableTV_Students

Cable TV for Faculty and Staff: https://go.msu.edu/CableTV_StaffFaculty

Request cable TV service: https://go.msu.edu/CableTV

Request Comcast additional TV services: https://go.msu.edu/ComcastService

Learn more about cable TV: https://go.msu.edu/Cable_TV

View cable lineup: https://go.msu.edu/ChannelListings

Consultation & Analysis

Telecommunication analysts and engineers are available to discuss your operational needs and design cost-effective technology solutions.

Services provided include analysis, system design, estimations, installation, testing, and training to meet your needs.

Learn more or request a consultation or analysis service: https://go.msu.edu/ConsultationAnalysis.

Two-way Radio

MSU operates and maintains the campus two-way radio system to provide reliable, high-quality two-way radio indoor/outdoor coverage on MSU’s campus.

This system supports over 600 users with both digital and analog handheld-portable, vehicle-mobile and fixed-base units. Important features include a 24/7 emergency call feature, 24/7 University Operator dispatch support, local phone access, direct one-to-one private call, and customized talk groups for workgroups with similar responsibilities.

Learn more or request two-way radio services: https://go.msu.edu/radiohandsets.

Telecommunication Systems Billing

Telecommunication systems billing varies depending on the services performed:

  • Recurring monthly charges for ongoing services such as telephone, fiber optics, cable television and two-way radio services billed to an EBS-approved general ledger number may be accessed through the Telecommunication Systems online billing system.
  • Parts and installation charges for new or upgraded services such as a new phone or a hardware repair can be accessed on the IPF customer statement.
  • If you have any questions about your Telecom Systems bill, call (517) 432-6200 between the hours of 7 a.m. to midnight or visit ithelp.msu.edu.

Service Rates

Current rates are provided below. New rates effective July 1, 2024.

  • Cable TV per outlet per month
    • Current Rate: $63.98
    • New Rate (effective 7/1/24): $37.33
  • Fiber per strand per month
    • Current rate: $46.08
    • New Rate (effective 7/1/24): $60.24
  • Telephones (PBX/Toll) per line per month
    • Current Rate: $11.00
    • New Rate (effective 7/1/24): $13.64 (now includes unlimited local calls and domestic long-distance)