Service Summary

This is an interim offering until a new telephone solution is selected. 

MS Teams Calling Plans were originally made available as part of a pilot project testing a softphone solution. Calling plans are now available for all faculty and staff. Calling plans add several features for users, including the ability to place external calls via the MS Teams application, using your Mason phone number.

MS Teams is available via web browser, desktop application, and mobile app.

*International Calling Plans are not currently available.

Key Features

• Presence
  • Presence is updated in real-time on the web and desktop versions and based on user activity (Available, Away), Outlook calendar states (In a meeting), or Teams app states (In a call, Presenting).
  • If there is no icon, the person you're trying to reach may not use Teams and may not know you are trying to reach them. If they appear busy or away, you may want to consider leaving a chat message instead.
  • Keep the MS Teams app open during your workday, so you don't miss calls and messages.
• Voicemail
  • Voicemail is turned on by default.
  • You can configure your voicemail and additional answering rules under “Settings” -> “Calls.”
  • You can retrieve voicemails under the “Calls” tab; A copy of the recording and transcript is also sent to you via email. If you delete the voicemail from either location, it will be removed from both.
• Collaboration
  • Tell your colleagues! This works best when more of your colleagues are engaged.
  • Start using it more often for 1:1 or small group collaboration.

Keep in Mind

• Some new features require an update and may become available to users over time. Your colleagues may see certain features before you do (or vice versa).
• Not all features you see in the MS Teams articles are available in our environment. Certain features may not be available based on our licensing or have been disabled for security reasons.

Getting This Service

To request a calling plan be added to your MS Teams account, please contact your Telecom Coordinator.

Once converted, your personal line will no longer be associated with your Avaya desk phone. Do not attempt to make calls from the Avaya desk phone unless it has multiple lines on the device. You will not receive calls to your personal line on the desk phone.

Eligibility

All faculty and staff for personal numbers (only). Requests for lines answered by multiple people, or call queues, are not being processed at this time.

General Requirements

Your device needs to have a speaker and microphone. It is recommended that you use a headset for improved audio quality and privacy. A webcam is ideal for a more collaborative and engaging experience.

• ITS recommends the following headset: Poly Blackwire 3320 (Vendors include Dell, CDWG, etc.)
• For more types of headsets, see https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/across-devices/devices/category/headsets/36

Support

• Contact your Telecom Coordinator if you need to make changes to your phone service.
• Contact the ITS Support Center or submit a TDX ticket via the "MS Teams Calling Support" orange button on this page if you need to report a problem or need more information about MS Teams.

Training

The following information can help familiarize you with MS Teams Calling

• First Things to Know About Calls in MS Teams
• Make a Call
• Answer a Call
• Configure Call Settings & Voicemail
• Check Your Voicemail
• Add Someone to a Call
• Handling Simultaneous Calls
• Put a Call on Hold
• Assign a Delegate
• Use Call Forwarding, Call Groups, & Simultaneous Ring

Policy

All users of the George Mason University network must adhere to University Policy Number 1301: Responsible Use of Computing.

George Mason University provides access to telephones to all faculty and staff, including wage and contract employees. The University telephone system is available to conduct university business. University Policy Number 2204: Telephone Use applies to all university faculty and staff, including wage employees and contract employees, who have access to the university telephone system and/or who have been issued a university cellular telephone.