Bobcat off-campus may go cellular

by Tim Pappa
Staff Writer

Until Communication Network Services decided to stop providing off-campus phone capabilities to Ohio University students, junior Maggie Wickline regularly had been tapping into the OU service with long-distance calls.

“I could call my family any time without worrying if I had a phone card or not,” she said.

But CNS now hopes to supply students such as Wickline with an alternative phone service — cell phones.

Starting June 30, Verizon will become the sole provider of phone service for students living off the main campus. CNS cited loss of revenue as the reason for folding the university’s off-campus phone options.

CNS spokesman Sean O’Malley said CNS has been soliciting information from cell phone companies to test interest in forming a partnership with OU. But he said the end of the off-campus service did not directly cause the cell phone proposal.

“We’ve been considering the switch to cell phones for over a year now. The telecommunications market is just always changing,” O’Malley said.

CNS would like to acquire third generation cells — phones that feature e-mail, call waiting and voice mail in addition to regular components, O’Malley said. CNS officials hope to hear back from interested companies by the end of April.

Whichever company decides to partner with OU will be able to set up transmitters on Athens buildings, improving the coverage in the area.

CNS has conducted only informal surveys to harvest feedback from students, O’Malley said. Most of those polled said they would be interested if the price is reasonable.

“Other schools offer plans such as this, but they are not necessarily well-priced,” O’Malley said. “Our goal is to offer a fair price. We see ourselves as providing a useful service to the OU community. We’re not here to gouge people with costs.”

He said there is no friction between Verizon and CNS, despite OU losing the phone service to the national company.

“We’re made to look antagonistic toward Verizon,” O’Malley said. “(But) if Verizon is interested in taking part in the cell phone project, we’ll definitely consider a bid from them.”

Despite not knowing many details about the possible cell phone service, OU sophomore Jacque Newton said she probably would be interested in using it.

“It would be nice to have a cell phone as a safety precaution around here,” she said. “I’m usually out late.”

But Wickline said she probably would not buy into the proposed cell phone plan.

“I think this whole school is money-hungry,” she said. “Verizon is taking something (OU) wanted, so I think they’re doing this just so they don’t keep losing money. But it’s really not needed.”