IT begins transition to new Teams phone options

USI IT is transitioning the entire campus from Cisco to Teams phones in the coming months. They expect to complete this transition by the end of July 2025.

Teams phones offer benefits such as allowing users to use a USI phone line from any internet connected device, including smartphones, tablets and personal computers.

IT plans to provide either a physical desk phone or a headset for each phone line to replace the current Cisco phones. 

It is also possible to opt out of IT providing a device if the user chooses to use a different headset (at the individual’s or department's expense), or if the user plans to just use the Teams app on a cell phone or tablet.

If an employee wants both a physical desk phone and a headset or wants a headset other than the one provided by IT, the department will have to order the headset.

IT also plans to move monthly phone charges to an annual fee with no long distance charges for Teams phones. More information on billing changes will be shared once finalized.

Please visit the IT Knowledge Base to learn more about the transition and options available. A video tutorial on getting started with Teams phones is available both here and on the Knowledge Base.

If you have questions or issues with Teams phones, please complete a service ticket through the IT Service Catalog.