Phone Guide for Resident Students

So what phone can I use?

All the residence phone lines are analog which means that any off the shelf phone will work.  While we recommend a regular corded phone, we recognize that cordless handsets are often much more convenient to use.  Please take a moment to review the following before using a cordless phone in your room:

  • Older 900 MHz phones are acceptable, but do not provide best security or range.
  • Cordless phones using the 2.4 GHz frequency range are not permitted on campus as they interfere with other devices using the same frequency such as the campus Wi-Fi network.  Please DO NOT bring your 2.4 GHz phone with you.
  • Until recently the 5.8 GHz cordless phones represented the ultimate in interference-free (clear) communication. Considered to be WiFi Friendly, the 5.8 GHz frequency is the least crowded frequency band with the least chance of interfering with wireless networking equipment, wireless video, microwaves and other environmental interferences.
  • Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) phones operate at the new 1.9 GHz frequency. Relativly new to the market, the Wi-Fi friendly DECT technology is designed especially for areas with a large number of users and it easily integrates into homes and college campuses with Internet and Wi-Fi services. Key advantages are that the 1.9 GHz frequency is not used by other wireless technologies and that battery life is usually improved by 30% over 5.8ghz. Though the environment has a large influence, DECT also typically provides greater range than cordless phones that operate at other frequencies.   

Where cordless phones are desired, TWU recommends the use of sets using either the 5.8 or 1.9 Ghz frequency range for best clarity, security, range and non interferance.

Before plugging in your phone set please ensure that the ringer is set to "ON" and that the phone is set on "TONE" not "PULSE."  Older phones have a switch on the set (or base unit of a portable set).  On newer phones, this can be set via the options / phone menu.  Please see your instruction manual for details.

Voice Over IP phones are not supported as landline service is already available.