Local Telephone Services

DIS manages a statewide network that delivers modern voice telephone service to public organizations at economical rates. Local telephone service includes unlimited free calling within the local exchange area, access to operator and emergency services (E911), and access to the state's SCAN long distance network. Also available are other features and functionality that customers can select to meet their specific requirements. Local telephone service is provided in two ways:

Central Office Services (Centrex)
DIS Managed Private Branch Exchange Service (PBX)

Centrex Service

Centrex is a generic term for central office-based telephone services. Centrex provides an alternative to private branch exchange (PBX) service or flat business service. DIS Centrex service includes free calling within the local exchange area, access to the SCAN long distance network, and access to the local operator and emergency services. DIS Centrex offerings also include an abbreviated dialing plan (3, 4, or 5 digits) that can be used to dial between any two phones that are in Centrex. Access to either SIMON, the State’s Simon voice messaging system, or a vendor-specific voice mail solution is also typically available at reduced rates. Centrex lines may be terminated on either individual phones or electronic key telephone systems (EKTS). If used with an EKTS, the intelligence in the EKTS may be used to provide additional functionality.

DIS has established contracts for the provisioning of Centrex services with the following vendors. The brand specific name for the vendor's Centrex product is listed in parentheses.

* Qwest (Centrex Prime)
* Verizon (CentraNet)

Features:

DIS Centrex service includes several feature packages. Current Centrex service offerings and rates Review a current list of DIS Centrex offerings and rates by city and central office. DIS can establish additional offerings in central office serving areas where 20 or more lines can be aggregated.

Customer Charges:

DIS provides local telephone service customers with a simplified invoice with a single entry for each unit of service that contains its description and associated cost. DIS is responsible for vendor billing issues and reconciliation. Typical charges that a customer will pay for Centrex service include:

1.Installation Charges:
Standard vendor charges for the installation of new service or changes to existing service are the customer's responsibility.

2.Terminal Equipment:

The customer is responsible for paying for telephones or terminal equipment such as EKTS used with the Centrex service and for the ongoing maintenance and replacement of this equipment.

3.SCAN/Toll Charges:

Charges for SCAN or toll calls are the customer’s responsibility

4.Monthly Line Charge:

The customer is responsible for the payment of a monthly line charge for each Centrex line. The monthly line charge includes all cost components including tax.

Cost comparisons:

DIS will help public organizations analyze their current local telephone service costs to determine if DIS service is a good alternative. When comparing costs DIS customers should note that DIS rates include all cost components including tax It is not unusual for competitive quotes from other service providers to omit various federal and state mandated fees and taxes that are “understood in the industry”. These costs, which frequently add several dollars to the cost of a line, may include charges for the End User Line Charge (EUCL), Common Access Line Charge (CALC), Network Access Registers (NARS), Primary Interstate Carrier (PIC), Local Number Portability (LNP), feature charges, state and local 911 charges, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Washington State Telephone Assistance Program (WTAP), and state and local taxes.

Electronic Key Telephone Systems (EKTS)

DIS has Master Contracts in place for EKTS that can be used with Centrex service. These contracts meet the state requirements for competition and are available for use by customers eligible for DIS services to purchase EKTS systems.

Customer support

DIS assigns a service representative to each of its customers. The customer service representative will process any orders for new service, moves, additions or changes and coordinate them with the responsible vendor. The DIS customer service representative will also provide the customer information on products and assist in the resolution of any problems that may be encountered with the vendor.