Dartmouth Computing Services has begun testing a new technology that will allow users to make calls from cell phones over the College's wireless network free of charge, according to David Bucciero, director of Technical Services. Although testing is currently limited to Computing Services employees, it may be opened to a few student users in coming days.
The system requires the use of "dual-mode" phones, which can function as traditional cell phones. The phones allow users to place calls over the internet using Dartmouth's Kiewit Voice wireless network. The phones do not work over other Dartmouth networks or non-Dartmouth networks.
The phones automatically switch between transmitting over Wi-Fi and cellular networks, depending on which signal is stronger. Calls made using the wireless network are free and do not count against a user's cell phone minutes.
Fifteen Computing Services employees are currently testing specific phones that are configured to use Dartmouth's wireless network. Computing Services plans to sell these phones for $300 to members of the Dartmouth community.
The necessary software can also be installed on any phone that uses the Symbian operating system, which includes many Nokia models, Bucciero said. The phones must also have a special "W-LAN" antenna.
Only AT&T Wireless customers will be able to use the system.
Bucciero said the new technology could benefit the College economically because Dartmouth provides many Computing Services staff members, who must be on call at all times, with cell phone service.
"$20,000 of my department's budget is earmarked for cell phone use," he said. "I spend most of my time on campus, where there's a wireless signal. Why should I be using up my cell phone minutes?"
Using the new technology should result in "significant" savings for his department, Bucciero said, although he was unable to give an exact amount since the program is in the testing phase.
The program could also benefit students who buy compatible phones or upgrade their existing phones, Bucciero said.
Several students interviewed by The Dartmouth said the new technology would likely not save them money because they use their phones infrequently when on campus.
"I'm always on [BlitzMail]," Averil Spencer '10 said. "I even downgraded my phone plan after I came to Dartmouth."
Others, however, said they were excited about Dartmouth's testing of cutting-edge technology.
"I like to be in the know about anything that's going on with computing use at Dartmouth," Chris Takeuchi '09, a member of the Council on Computing, said.
Takeuchi said he will likely receive a phone within the next week as part of the group of five to 15 initial student testers.
The pilot program will remain in the testing phase until Technical Services has compiled data from at least 100 different users, Bucciero said. The service will then be made generally available to members of the Dartmouth community who have compatible equipment.
