From the Director...

As we enter 2002, it is very apparent that as stewards of the taxpayer dollar we will all continue to be asked to make expenditures wisely and with great care. Please be assured that the Division of Communications views itself as a partner with your agency to evaluate opportunities to cut costs and deliver more efficient services. To that end, we have worked hard over the past year to help you lower your telecommunications costs.

ALLTEL CELLULAR – This year the Division of Communications lowered the costs of cellular service to agencies through a negotiation with Alltel for the purchase of bulk minutes. This allowed the Division to charge for cellular usage at $.17 per minute and charge agencies only for actual usage. This change will save State agencies $340,000 in cellular charges this year.

Effective November 15, 2001 the Division was able to again lower the cellular flat rate from $.17 per minute to $.12 per minute. This is a resulting savings of an additional $78,000 per year to State cellular clients.

LANGUAGE LINE – Many agencies use the over the telephone interpretation services of Language Line to communicate with our non-English speaking population. The Division of Communications renegotiated the State’s Language Line rate this past year. Interpretation services that were billed at $2.25 per minute for over 140 languages, was lowered to $2.10 per minute with an annual savings of approximately $10,800 per year.

800 SERVICE – In addition to the lowering of 800 per minute rates that were made in August of 2000, the Division of Communications renegotiated contracts related to 800 service that resulted in the monthly $20 recurring fee to be eliminated. State agencies will realize a savings of approximately $36,000 annually.

In 2002 we believe there is more work to be done. The Division of Communications is in the process of rebidding the State’s long distance service, 800 service and calling cards. We continue to work with agencies on conversions that will allow for the most efficient use of data communications lines. Our wireless section is ready to assist agencies and individuals analyze cellular usage and assure that the most economical plan for usage patterns is being used. Work on upgrading the cable facilities of the State Office Building continues and we anticipate a start on rewiring the State Capitol. Enhancements are planned for the video conferencing sites. Closed circuit television will continue to offer training opportunities and the Legislative activities of the 2002 Session. If there is anything that we can do to assist you in meeting your agency goals, please let us know.

Brenda L. Decker, Director

Removal of Data Communications Equipment

Occasionally data communications customers call the Division of Communications to ask why a particular charge was not removed from their billing. They are sure that they stopped the service, but the billing has continued. Unfortunately, a telephone call with a suggestion that you may be canceling your service soon, does not assure that we “know” you wanted to stop that service. Your phone call is definitely appreciated as a “heads-up”, however having that request in a written form acknowledges your consent to discontinue that service.

The most efficient method to provide that written notification is via e-mail. The agency communications coordinator for data services can send an e-mail to Dan Ward (dward@doc.state.ne.us), Data Communications Manager, with a carbon copy to Sandi Gauchat (sgauchat@doc.state.ne.us). By using both addressees you can assure that your request will be seen if one of these individuals is out of the office. If the service you are stopping involves IM Services, you might want to add a couple of IM Services Network Support people to your request to let them know of your intentions to stop services. IM Services and the Division of Communications try our best to notify each other of client agency orders, but we are separate entities and sometimes these courtesy notifications can slip through the cracks.

The Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) is typically the PCs, control units & dumb terminals, printers, AS400s, etc and are supplied either by IM Services or the client agency. Statutorily, the Data Communications Equipment (DCE), which is typically the modems, DSU/CSUs, and routers, is owned by the State of Nebraska and inventoried by the Division of Communications. Since the DCE is inventoried by the Division of Communications, agencies should not add data communications equipment to their own inventory. Once service has been removed, the DCE needs to be returned to the Division of Communications to either be surplused by us or put back into service at another location.

The telecommunications provider for a significant fee, including labor to visit the premise and a travel charge just to pick up the equipment, can remove data communications equipment. To save this expense, the Division of Communications asks that agencies carefully disconnect and return the equipment, power cord and any network cables attached to the Data Communications Section. The address for return is: Division of Communications, 501 So. 14th Street, Room 209, Lincoln, NE 68508. If you have any questions, you can contact Sandi at 402-471-2047.

2002 STATE TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES

The 2002 Nebraska State Government Directory has gone to print. Thank you to everyone for the directory updates and clarifications. Each agency will be receiving their new directories in February. Included in this year’s Directory are maps of the first and second floors of the State Capitol. Current information that will be printed in the 2002 State Government Directory is available on the Internet at http://www.state.ne.us then select, Your Government. You should have already received information from the Materiel Division regarding the recycling of the 2001 State directories.

AT&T BILLS

If your office is receiving any type of AT&T bills, please forward these to our office for review and processing. The majority of the charges are not valid and should NOT be paid. We are working with AT&T to try and correct the billing problem. The State of Nebraska is not the only customer being hit with these “thrifty” bills. It appears the problem is nation wide.

We ask for your patience and cooperation until the problem can be corrected. In the mean time, you may also get past due notices and collection agency letters. Please forward these to our office as well.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Shelley at 471-3850. Our interoffice address is Executive Building, Suite #300 and our mailing address is Division of Communications, Attn: Shelley Reed, Executive Building, 521 So. 14th Street, Suite #300, Lincoln, NE 68508-2707.

Directory Listing Closing Dates: