Cellular phones?

[Jean P Nance]

Where would you inquire about the U. of I. service? We wouldn't plan
to make a lot of calls, or long calls, so the per minute charge is
unimportant. The yearly charge seemed stiff for what we wanted.
What would "prepaid", or "emergency" service involve. I had read about
emergency. You are only set up to call 911? Or would we be set up so I
could phone Jim and he could phone me but we couldn't use it for any other
number except 911?
Thanks for the advice.

[Melissa S. Muckenhirn]

After a car breakdown on I57, we got an Ameritech phone for
emergencies only. Their lowest/cheapest plan is $9.95 per
month fee, $.35 per minute talk time and I think it was a two
year contract. The phone was free (and at the time they had a
deal of $5 off per month and night calls free, and that lasted
about 2.5 months.) We went with Ameritech since their coverage
is pretty much all over Illinois, but especially on the I57
corridor, which is our usual route when we travel.

I didn't know about the UI plan, but then since we want something
for travel emergencies, it might not help. When the contract
runs out I'll check out the other.

Melissa

Jean P Nance <jp...@bluestem.prairienet.org> wrote:
: We are considering getting cellular phones.

[ferguson william k]

It also says "Campus units with an ongoing need for cellular telephone
service, can take advantage of a service contract, negotiated by the State
of Illinois Central Management Services. The contract
is administered by CCSO." To me this implies that this deal is not for
employees (or former employees). I guess someone will have to call and
find out. If someone does, please post your findings.

Jack Su <jno...@dfms.cen.uiuc.edu> writes:

>Check http://ntx2.cso.uiuc.edu/telecomm/Cell_Phone.html

>The basic service is $10.00 per month plus airtime @ $.20 per minute.

>There's a campus area cell service at $10.00 per month plus $20 monthly
>for 250 minutes airtime within the campus cell area. Additional campus
>cell air time is $.10 per minute. Outside campus cell area is charged
>$.20 per minute.

>You may also want to consider either a pre-paid phone or an emergency
>cell phone. The per minute charges are higher, but they have none or
>low monthly charge. The best deal depends on how you use your cell
>phone.

>PS. Call around and get a deal on the phone. You can usually get
> the phone free for signing a 1 or 2 year contract.

>Jack

>Jean P Nance wrote:
>>
>> If the U. of I. service is cheaper, we ought to investigate. Where
>> would I go to ask? Jim is retired faculty, and usually gets faculty
>> privileges on deals like that.

[Dipesh Navsaria]

Keep in mind that any cell phone (even those without a service contract)
can dial 911. I have a phone via Ameritech for "work" purposes, but an
older, non-activated phone sits in the car for when my wife might be
driving it. If she has a problem, she can at least dial 911.

Some cellular providers will let you make a call with a credit card using
an unactivated phone, but that varies from place to place. It could run
you quite a bit just to call AAA that way, but if you truly only need it
for emergencies, it's cheaper than even $10/month...

Peace and Prosperity,
Dipesh

Michael G. Gardner (m...@uiuc.edu) wrote:
: In article <Pine.GSO.4.10.10005250850230.6278-100000@bluestem>, Jean P
: Nance <jp...@prairienet.org> wrote:

: > Where would you inquire about the U. of I. service? We wouldn't plan

: >
: The only Cell service avaible through the University would be for
: University use only. There was and may still be a discount rate for
: University employees personal phones with Ameritech cellular based on a
: state contract.

: mgg

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: University of Illinois, Computing & Comm Services Ofc
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: 1122 DCL, 1304 W Springfield, Urbana, Il 61801
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