Phones on the Data Network

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is available in every building within the MSU system.  Our networks operate at natively at one gigabits per second and supports VoIP phones at speeds of one gigabits or one hundred megabits per second depending upon the phone selected.  Obviously, one gigabit phones are recommended and are currently quite economical.

VoIP phones typically have more features and can plug into any VoIP configured data network jack just like a computer would.  Additionally, VoIP phones can optionally allow for a computer to be plugged into the phone allowing for the quick deployment of voice or both voice and data network services on the same outlet.  Of course, you can still order just data network services if no phone is needed, but if you add voice later, it can be done easier and faster!

What are the Advantages or Disadvnatages?

• VoIP is more economical to install
• VoIP phones can be moved between any two VoIP jacks without charge by the user - Users are required to report such moves by University Policy (search the page for "VoIP"), however so emergency responders can find the source of an emergency call!
• The phone number for VoIP moves with the phone and doesn't stay with the jack.
• Only one outlet is required to support one computer and one phone.
• Lower-end VoIP phones will limit data transmission speeds to only 100 megabits - higher-end phones will allow data operations at the full one gigabit speeds.  Phone prices have dropped significantly and basic, one gigabit VoIP phones are very reasonable.
• The only disadvantage of a VoIP phone is that it stops working if the network goes down due to a network or a power failure.

Questions or Needs?

If you have any questions or needs about this emerging deployment, please contact Debbie Ewert.