Cellphones and Telecom

Cell Phone Purchases

To be eligible for consideration for a university-owned cell phone, you must be a full- or part-time employee and must have a valid business need as defined in University Policy 3.24, Mobile Communication Devices.

Cornell Procurement Services has preferred supplier agreements in place with both AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless for cellular phones, plans, and accessories.

Placing Orders for Corporate Accounts

University-owned devices must be purchased using the Cornell Cellular Request Form. Obtain approval for university-owned cellular phones from your vice president or dean. For information on ordering a new phone line or replacing a device, please view the Cornell Cellular Account Guidelines. Also see the policy's frequently asked questions (PDF, 69 KB).

Corporate accounts are restricted to two pre-selected options: a smart phone or a flip phone. The brands and models for these phones are selected by Wireless Business Group.

If you have questions, contact one of the following Wireless Business Group representatives:

• Tom Huegel – Phone: (315) 701-0855, Email: t.huegel@wirelessbusinessgroup.com
• Sam Serianni – Phone: (315) 701-0855, Email: s.serianni@wirelessbusinessgroup.com

Placing Orders for Personal Accounts

Both suppliers offer Cornell employee's discounted personal purchase plans. To make personal purchases, refer to the information on the AT&T and Verizon pages.

Transferring a Corporate Account to a Personal Account

If you leave the university, you may request that you be able to retain the cellular number you had on your corporate account and transfer the service to a personal account. This was previously known as "Assumption of Liability" (for Verizon accounts) or "Change of Billing Responsibility" (for AT&T accounts).

1. Request and obtain written approval from your supervisor to transfer the number and/or equipment*.
2. Contact Wireless Business Group (WBG) at cornell@wirelessbusinessgroup.com or (315) 701-0855, and provide the proof of written approval.
3. WBG will initiate the change by contacting the appropriate carrier and releasing the number to the you, the employee.
4. Contact the carrier and complete the transfer of billing responsibility, which must be complete within 30 days.

*You may be required to purchase a new device. University-owned devices are the property of the university. When use of a university-owned device is discontinued (whether upon separation or a change in responsibilities), you must return the device itself to your unit unless you obtain approval from the supervisor or you have purchased the equipment on your own.