Illinois Tech has selected the Internet2's NET+ SIP, a partnership between Internet2, Mitel (Aastra Clearspan) and CenturyLink, as it's new telecommunications system. The new system will replace the four Avaya Definity systems and one Centrex system installed around 1990 that are beyond their expected life. The Internet2 Clearspan solution is a single, highly reliable, cloud-based voice over internet protocol (VoIP) system will be the best solution for all of Illinois Tech’s campuses. The new system will provide an integrated university-wide solution that provides the additional features the university has been requesting.
The conversion to Voice over IP will be rolled out in three phases:
1) Pilot: The first phase was a proof-of-concept with Internet2 in 2019. This phase included the deployment of VoIP services for Illinois Tech’s new Ed Kaplan Family Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship as well as a few select areas on the Mies Campus. The proof-of-concept was successful and we are continuing onto phase two.
2) University-wide mobile/softphone rollout: Phase two included the conversion of the remainder of the university to the new VoIP service utilizing the mobile app that runs on personally owned IOS (Apple) and Android devices or softpohnes that can run on a Windows or Mac PC/Laptop. Phase two began in May 2020 and included most extensions assigned to a specific person. General departmental phones, main numbers, and numbers assigned COVID designated essential staff are continuing to be converted.
3) University-wide deskphone rollout: Phase three includes the deployment of physical desk/wall phones for users that wish to have them. This phase will begin in August 2020 and is expected to be completed within a month.
PHase 2 (Mobile devices & softphones)
While both the mobile application and softphone application can be installed, OTS highly recommends the use of the mobile application over the softphone application. This is due to the ease of configuration as well as the ease of use as the mobile application. The mobile application provides a much more natural telephone experience.
mobile app - ios (apple)
- Application Download (or search for Clearspan Mobile in Apple Store)
- Illinois Tech Install Guide
- Quick Reference Guide
mobile app - android
- Application Download (or search for Clearspan Mobile in Google Play)
- Illinois Tech Install Guide
- Quick Reference Guide
softphone app - windows & Mac
- Windows
- Mac
When using the softphone application you will need to purchase a headset for your laptop/desktop. The recommended headset is the Logitech USB Headset H390 with Noise Cancelling Mic available from CDW in BuyIt for $27.64.
MOBILE DEVICE & SOFTPHONE FAQs
- Can I log into both Communicator (PC based softphone) and the mobile app simultaneously?
- You can only log into one application at a time.
- How will the mobile app affect my data usage/phone bill?
- Please use wifi when using the mobile app on your phone.
- What happens when I sign out of Communicator(PC based softphone) or the mobile app? Where do my phone calls go?
- Your calls go to voicemail.
- Can I login with multiple extensions?
- You can use one extension at any given time. You will need to log out of extension A and sign into extension B to access multiple extensions.
- I closed the mobile app, but my phone still rings after hours. How do I stop the incoming phone calls?
- You need to log out of the application, not just close it, to stop receiving calls.
PHASE 3 (desk/wall phones)
Once we return to campus you will have the opportunity to add a physical telephone set if desired through BuyIt. The basic telephone, the Mitel 6863i can be added at no charge while supplies last. You may also upgrade to the Mitel 6865i, 6867i for an additional one-time fee. In addition, you may add an expansion module to a 6865i or 6867i. More information on these models and the prices are listed below.
mitel 6863i
MITEL 6865I - $77 (Not available in FY21)
MITEL 6867I - $127 (NOT AVAILABLE IN FY21)
MITEL Expansion module - $110 (NOT AVAILABLE IN FY21)
POLYCOM TRIO 8500 - $566
DESK PHONE INSTALLATION FAQS
The new telephones connect via wired ethernet and require power over ethernet (PoE). The old telephones were not ethernet based so the wall jack for the old phone is incompatable with the new phones. If you have a PC, you need to connect it through the phone (in series). If you wish to use a seperate wall jack for the phone and PC there is a fee for the port activation.
- What do I do with my old Avaya phone?
- Bring your old Avaya phone to the Support Desk. They will not function on the new system.
- You can either leave the cord from the old phone to the wall in-place or discard it. It cannot be used with the new system and has no value.
- The phone is not powering on.
- The ethernet cable is connected to the wrong port on the back of the phone.
- Plug the cable into the correct port on the back of the phone.
- The Phone is connected to a non-PoE network port.
- Contact the Support Desk with the information about the outlet. The Support Desk will have Network Services migrate the port to PoE.
- You connected the phone to the cable used by the old phone.
- Plug the phone into an ethernet port (where you would plug in your PC or printer).
- The phone is not prompting for a Device ID.
- Power cycle the phone by disconnecting the ethernet cable, wait for 30 seconds, then reconnect the ethernet cable. If the issue persists, the phone needs to be factory defaulted. Please contact the Supoprt Desk to have the vendor reset the phone.
- The Device ID is not accepted.
- The extension has not been migrated from trunk users profile to VoIP profile.
- Contact the Supoprt Desk who will validate if this number has been migrated to VoIP.
- The phone was registered, but when you lift the receiver, you get a busy signal.
- The phone was assigned the wrong profile.
- Contact the Supoprt Desk to have the profile changed.
- The migration from trunk user profile to VoIP profile is incomplete.
- Contact the Supoprt Desk to confirm the migration was completed.