Tips for cell phone accounts

Departments and faculty and staff members can take advantage of Cornell’s preferred supplier agreements with AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless for discounts on cellular phones, plans, and accessories. Here are some helpful tips to get you started with corporate or personal accounts.

Purchasing a university-owned cell phone

Full- or part-time employees can qualify for a university-owned cell phone if there is a valid business need as defined in University Policy 3.24, Mobile Communication Devices. University-owned devices and new lines of service require approval from your vice president or dean and must be purchased using the Cornell Cellular Request Form. Once your supervisor and business service center director approves the online request, it is processed by Wireless Business Group. For more information on placing orders for corporate accounts, see the Cell Phones and Telecom Equipment page.

Tips for ordering equipment:

• Device selection is limited to a smartphone or a flip phone.
• Phone options are updated on the ordering portal when new phones are introduced.
• Estimated shipping times are based on device availability – AT&T typically ships within four to five business days and Verizon Wireless within one to two business days.

Employee discounts are available for personal phones

AT&T and Verizon Wireless offer discounts to Cornell employees for personal accounts. 

• AT&T Mobility: Faculty and staff members can receive a discount on monthly access fees. You can enroll online or call Tim Parke, personal account sales representative, at (585) 279-5515.
• Verizon Wireless:  Faculty and staff members can receive discounts on monthly access fees (plus an additional discount for enrolling in paperless billing) and accessories. You can enroll online by visiting the Verizon Wireless website and selecting Employee Discounts from Plans, Deals & More at the bottom of the page.

Suspend service to save money during periods of non-use

Did you know you can turn off cellular service for your university-owned device during periods of anticipated non-use? If you will not be using a cellular phone or wireless device (i.e., MiFi, tablet) for a minimum of one month, the Cornell contract allows you to suspend university-owned device service without billing for up to 90 days (beyond that point, the carrier will automatically reinstate the line at the previous rate). A service suspension is allowed twice during a 12-month period.

Service suspension not only reduces the expense associated with maintaining cellular service, it also prevents unauthorized use of a dormant/stored or a lost or stolen unit. Suspended service for university-owned devices can be reactivated within one business day, if not sooner.

You can submit requests to suspend or reactivate a university-owned device using the Cornell Cellular Request Form. The Wireless Business Group (WBG) will process the order and confirm when completed.

Reduce your international travel roaming charges

Roaming charges are incurred when an employee travels internationally with a mobile device (i.e., smartphone, tablet) and uses the available services (i.e., voice, text messaging, email, web browsing). International features can help to reduce and even negate potential roaming costs, which, if left unchecked, can add up to thousands of dollars per user, per travel event.

To ensure that you have service while traveling and to reduce roaming costs on your university-owned device, use the Cornell Cellular Request Form to request that international services be added to your plan. Submit your request at least seven days prior to traveling to allow for the appropriate approvals. 

More tips:

• To ensure that you receive the full benefit of the international features, they are typically added for one full billing cycle (i.e., the 2nd of the month to the 1st of the following month) and then removed. If a traveler’s stay crosses two billing cycles (e.g., 25th – 6th of the following month), then the feature will remain in place for two months.
• You can add international features by emailing the Wireless Business Group directly at cornell@wirelessbusinessgroup.com. Email requests should include:
  • Cellular number(s)
  • Wireless carrier (AT&T or Verizon)
  • Dates of travel
  • Destinations
  • Devices (traveling with smartphone,  tablet, or both)
• When traveling, use Wi-Fi whenever available and avoid any type of data streaming services (e.g., GPS), because data can add up very quickly. Remember to avoid transmitting confidential data (e.g., banking information) when using a public Wi-Fi network.

If you have questions regarding feature costs or included services prior to departure, please contact the Wireless Business Group at (315) 701-0855.