Cell/Smart Phone and Hotspot: Options

We have partnered with AT&T Wireless as provider of 4G/LTE wireless services for our university. This partnership is through a contract that is negotiated at the State of Wisconsin for all state agencies in the state. We have set a standard for the devices that Technology Services supports which are detailed in this document. Since there are hundreds of different phones on the market at any given time we have standardized on particular platforms and services to reduce any issues you could experience in the use of those products. Technology Services requires any phone to be procured by the university to be one of these phones or their current equivalents.

Steps to Acquiring Cellular Services

1. To initiate a purchase request, please complete the Mobile Phone Request service form. 
2. Review and sign the Department of Administration's Mobile Device Policy document. Give a copy of this to your supervisor for your personnel file, it is your supervisor's responsibility to maintain all AT&T records associated with your device.  
3. Refer to Administrative Policy AP-05-201 Wireless Telecommunications for usage restrictions and monthly auditing requirements.  
4. Your supervisor will receive an email from wireless.att.com and they will need to setup their account. Then monthly, they need to download your bill and review it with you based on the requirements of the above policies.
5. If you ordered an iPhone, DoTS will set up an appointment with you for activating the phone. Bring your signed policy document with you, if you did not send it in already. Basic phones are shipped directly to you (or your supervisor) and will require a signed document in advance of ordering.

Costs Associated to Wireless Communications

All costs that are associated with the wireless communication device and associated services will be charged directly to the account number that is provided. DoTS does not "up charge" any of the costs. An enterprise-level invoice is received on a monthly basis and Accounts Payable breaks down the charges and pays the bill using dozens of different accounts that apply. Any usage charges that you acquire by using the phone are your responsibility. Monthly auditing of the bill is required by the State of Wisconsin. Monthly review of the charges on WISER (fka WISDM) are required and DoTS is not responsible for any charges.

Canceling a Line of Service

You are required to notify the Division of Technology Services to have devices deactivated via a service request ticket. You should terminate service when employees are leaving the organization and when the phone is no longer of use.

Basic "Feature Phone"

AT&T refers to their "not smart" phones as "feature phones" and there are few options. The basic features phone changes from time to time based on AT&T's offerings.  

• They usually are going to cost between free and $0.99 one time. 
• They can be replaced annually at that discounted cost.  
• The basic features are listed below.  
• An LG 471 or Conulgar Flip 2 is a typical basic feature phone provided.  
• If the phone needs to be replaced before its allowed time period, it is an approximately $60 one time cost.  
• Insurance is not allowed; it would cost much more than just replacing the phone over its life cycle.

Voice & Calling

• Speakerphone with Mute
• Vibrate
• Flight Mode
• Customizable Ringtones
• Caller ID
• Call Waiting
• Call Forwarding
• Three-way Calling

Messaging

• Text messaging: Send and receive short text-only messages on your phone.**
• Multimedia messaging: Easily add pictures, video clips, and sound clips to your text messages.**

** Messaging and associated data consumption rates apply. Basic text messaging is required as an emergency management tool. We do not block messages unless their is a specific business reason to not receive emergency messages. These messages are charged at an a la carte rate between 10 and 20 cents each.

Camera & Video

• Rear-facing camera with auto focus and digital zoom (not available on some phones)

Applications

• All apps are "on-board" and do not have a "cloud" interface to them.***

*** Data consumption rates apply.

Initial Costs

• $0.99 - $69.99 for the hardware; replacement phones every 12 months.  (Price changes with AT&T without warning.)
• There are a few small initial fees associated with federal taxes: approximately $5
• No case is required or provided, you can procure one with your procurement card through proper channels. Grainger is recommended for facilities staff.

Ongoing Costs

If the phone is not used at all, then it is about $3/month for services. There is no monthly commitment in our contract; you may cancel at anytime.

There are no voice minutes included in the state plan. You pay 6 cents per minute for incoming and outgoing calls. There is no monthly subscription cost for voice services so if you don't talk much you don't pay much. There are alternate plans that can be reviewed for users that use more than 450 minutes per month - the break even point on leaving the State of Wisconsin plan.

Voice Services	Text Message Services	Data Services
Flat Rate National $0.00 - monthly access (plus approximate $3 in taxes) $0.06 - per incoming minute $0.06 - per outgoing minute $0.06 - per mobile to mobile minute $0.06 - per toll-free minute $0.06 - per directory assistance minute $1.99 - per directory assistance call No charge for: Domestic long distance Intrastate domestic roaming Interstate domestic roaming	A la Carte Messaging $0.20/message incoming and outgoing For emergency management reasons, all university cell phones will have ala carte messaging at a minimum and will automatically be subscribed to UWRF-Alerts Service. These alerts count as billable text messages. There are frequent spam messages received on phones, these are also unfortunately billable text messages as well. Picture messaging on basic phones may incur data charges. Messaging 200 (per month) $2.00 / month Unlimited Messaging $10.00 / month	Any data that is consumed for picture messages or for use of the onboard applications is billed a la carte.  There may be a charge associated with picture messaging and other services on the phone if used by the user. Unlimited Not available for this phone 5 GB with Tethering capability Not available for this phone

 

There is no monthly base cost to the basic phone, however there are approximately 10% federal, state and local municipal 911/protection fees assessed to services based on their retail pre-discounted costs. Even though no voice services may be consumed, a small (approximately $3/mo.) fee is assessed to the services.

Case is not included. Cases can be provided at request for an additional cost. We recommend that the person carrying the phone procure a case that meets their specific needs and tastes.

A charger comes with the phone. This phone uses a standard micro-USB charger that is popular with Android phones. 

 

Smart Phone

The standard smartphones provided to university users are the Apple iPhone models. You will need to provide a supervisor's approval and business justification statement before ordering. DoTS will place the order with AT&T on your behalf and will handle the billing/invoices with AT&T monthly according to the account string you provide. By default, all phones will be ordered in black or space gray to match a black case that will also be ordered with your phone.

Apple iPhone Prices

 

See ATT's product information page for detailed information, reviews, and videos regarding the features. Prices captured here are subject to change daily.

¹ Initial Costs & Scheduled Replacement Costs

• There is an initial purchase cost (as noted above) 
• Replacement eligibility is every 18 months for a new phone
• There are a few small initial fees associated with federal taxes: approximately $5
• The purchase of a case is required and will be part of the order of the phone: approximately $40-75 depending on the model phone and box (OtterBox Defender is the default for heavy daily use, Symmetry recommended for office/knowledge workers) 
• Since all iPhones need to be in a case the order for a neutral color (usually Space Gray or silver) will be selected
• Damaged phones being replaced before they are eligible are done so at full price in the "unscheduled replacement costs" column.
• Prices listed here are subject to change per order at AT&T's discretion.
• Whenever available, AT&T refurbished hardware will be purchased at a discounted cost.
• Inquire with DoTS to see when you are eligible for a replacement phone. Cycles indicated may or may not be available at the time of purchase.

² Discount Replacement Cycle

• Every phone has a discount replacement cycle - when you are eligible to get your phone at a discounted price.
• Some phones may escalate in their time-frame. This is usually established at the time of purchase but may be modified by AT&T for promotional reasons. Inquire with DoTS to see when you are eligible for a replacement phone. Cycles indicated may or may not be available at the time of purchase.
• Replacement costs are at the discounted initial price as shown.

³ Unscheduled Replacement Costs

• Unscheduled replacement costs are associated with some form of breakage or failure beyond the manufacturer warranty.
• The state does not allow us to purchase insurance. If damage occurs, you are required to cover the replacement cost from your departmental budget. Insurance is not allowed due to the associated costs exceed the replacement costs. Consider if the state paid $7/line for 50,000 lines a month. At $350,000 a month, that is a lot of insurance cost!
• Departmental funding is responsible for all replacement costs. You may option to cancel service all together instead of replacing leaving you with no device in the end.
• Otterboxes are required on all smart phones and some do come with a warranty. However, we have never had a successful claim with them to get the phone replaced. Usually they will replace the box not the phone.
• Depending on the timing, the replacement of the phone is likely to be whatever is the best deal of the day at the full price. For example, 12 months from now today's expensive phone will be the least expensive.  You will review options at that time of what you will replace your phone with at the time.

Ongoing Costs

Base fee:  There is no monthly commitment in our contract; you may cancel at anytime. The hardware is to be returned to Technology Services at the time of termination. 

Voice fees:  There are no voice minutes included in the state plan. You pay 6 cents per minute for incoming and outgoing calls. There is no monthly cost for voice services so if you don't talk much you don't pay much. There are alternate plans that can be reviewed for users that use more than 450 minutes per month, the break even point on leaving the State of Wisconsin plan. Wi-Fi calling is an option. You are required to manage the 911 location data on the phone.

Data fees:  In addition to the voice services you must also pay for a data plan. There is no option of Wi-Fi only as all smartphones require a data plan.

Voice Services	Text Message Services	Data Services
Flat Rate National $0.00 - monthly access (plus approximate $3 in taxes) $0.06 - per incoming minute $0.06 - per outgoing minute $0.06 - per mobile to mobile minute $0.06 - per toll-free minute $0.06 - per directory assistance minute $1.99 - per directory assistance call No charge for: Domestic long distance Intrastate domestic roaming Interstate domestic roaming	A la Carte Messaging $0.20/message incoming and outgoing For emergency management reasons, all university cell phones will have ala carte messaging at a minimum and will automatically be subscribed to UWRF-Alerts Service. These alerts count as billable text messages. There are frequent spam messages received on phones, these are also unfortunately billable text messages as well. Messaging 200 (per month) $2.00 / month Unlimited Messaging $10.00 / month International Long Distance Messaging This service allows you to send and receive international text messages while in the United States.  Includes 1000 messages per month $15.0 / month	Unlimited Enterprise Data (Throttled) $27.00 / mo. No tethering option; can only use data on the device Rate throttling during "network congestion" is possible, especially above 22GB of usage in a month 5 GB with Tethering capability  Throttled speeds, especially above the 5 GB cap Tethering allows you to share the phone as a mobile hotspot $37.00 / mo. $10/GB when using above the limit Unlimited Data with Tethering capability  Throttled speeds for personal use, especially above 5 GB Tethering allows you to share the phone as a mobile hotspot NOT INCLUDED: unlimited domestic text messages $50.05 / mo. Unlimited Data with Unlimited Text Messaging Throttled speeds for personal use, especially above 5 GB NOT INCLUDED: Tethering allows you to share the phone as a mobile hotspot INCLUDED: unlimited domestic text messages $50.04 / mo.

 

There are approximately 10% federal, state and local municipal 911/protection fees assessed to services. Even though no voice services may be consumed, a small (approximately $3/mo.) fee is assessed to the services.

Due to the ongoing costs of a smartphone, the State of Wisconsin requires that budget managers give extra attention to scrutinize the expenses associated with the operation of a smartphone.

Three is a GPS "Navigator" application on the phone. When activated, this will invoke a $9.99/month fee. If not used, there will be no fee. Do not use this feature as you can use the free versions of maps on the phone.

The State of Wisconsin does not permit the purchase of equipment protection; it is up to your department to replace damaged or out of warranty defective hardware at the full cost.

Any apps that are purchased remain the property of the university and must be approved by the Division of Technology Services before purchasing. No charges for apps may be charged against the AT&T account.

International Services

Mobile Hotspots

Mobile hotspot devices may not be used in any university facility where the official university wireless is provided. These devices are severe interferers to the official WiFi services.

Initial Costs

• Typical one time costs of $49.99, depending on availability of stock at AT&T.
• AT&T Unite Express 2 is the current recommended mode. 

Ongoing (Monthly) Costs

Rate information last updated June 10, 2020.

Data Services
Unlimited Enterprise Data (Throttled) $37.99 / mo. Rate throttling during "network congestion" is possible, especially above 22GB of usage in a month Unlimited Government Data (No Throttling) $39.99 / mo. Rate throttling does not occur when network is congested Government users only with government traffic

 

There are approximately 10% federal, state and local municipal 911/protection fees assessed to services. Even though no voice services may be consumed, a small (approximately $3/mo.) fee is assessed to the services.

Due to the ongoing costs of a mobile Internet device, the State of Wisconsin requires that budget managers give extra attention to scrutinize the expenses associated with the operation of a mobile Internet device.

There are no international travel options for hotspots that are affordable.  See EDUROAM WiFi service as an option. 

iPads

4G LTE enabled iPads tables are available, however they are not detailed here because the price and availability rapidly fluctuates. You can refer to the AT&T consumer website for an understanding of the options for the hardware. We do not get much of a discount on the hardware but we do get steep discounts on the service plans. Data tethering (sharing your internet to another device) is not an option on iPads but is an option on the iPhones. Open a DoTS service request ticket so that we can discuss what is available on the State of Wisconsin contract at the time of your purchase.