NDSU has successfully completed a $1.2 million upgrade of the AVAYA Telephone System to an Internet protocol-connected enterprise system, on time and on budget.

The process began approximately three years ago with Telecommunications’ partners AVAYA, JTM Associates (telecom architects and design engineering consultants), and Network Engineering and Operations staff.

The upgrade was the result of a 15-year business plan providing funding for future upgrades, in preparation for enhanced communications technology and accommodation of future growth. The goal also was to fund the upgrades entirely under the existing rate structure.

The upgraded system infrastructure replaced the existing fiber optic connected cabinets. Calls are converted to Internet protocol packets and sent over the NDSU data infrastructure, providing the ability for NDSU telephone service anywhere in the world where adequate data bandwidth is available.

This service can be extended today to telecommuting individuals using the Internet protocol-Softphone software.

This Internet protocol-connected infrastructure has allowed NDSU to provide telephone service to all remote locations in the Fargo area, but more significantly it has served the North Dakota State College of Science as part of our single-enterprise telecommunications system.

Using the state data network, NDSU and North Dakota State College of Science now have transparent communications, including five-digit dialing, and centralized roll-out of new features and upgrades.

Sharing of these real-time systems, which are high in cost and maintenance, will allow both NDSCS and NDSU to provide more competitive and cost-effective services to students, faculty and staff. 

The final design-engineering phase of this project also extends five-digit dialing, available immediately, to and from several North Dakota University System campuses.

The respective long-distance cost has been included in the existing monthly communications rate. Further design engineering of five-digit dialing to additional University System campuses will be examined.

NDSU joins a group of less than 10 percent of colleges and universities that have fully converted their telephone systems to an Internet protocol-connected infrastructure.

NDSU phones can call other campuses by dialing:

• North Dakota State College of Science: 3-xxxx

• University of North Dakota: 7-xxxx

• Mayville State University: 3-xxxx

• North Dakota State University: 1-xxxx